Visa scandal: 'Ampofo Ankrah’s suspension not enough; Kofi Adams must also step aside' — Senyo Amekplenu
A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) national communications team, Emmanuel Senyo Amekplenu, has called on the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, to step aside or resign over allegations surrounding Ghana’s travel arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The controversy centres on allegations of irregularities in arrangements for Ghanaians seeking to travel to the tournament hosted across US, Mexico and Canada.
The Minority in Parliament has alleged that some applicants who were not employees of the NSA or the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) were presented to foreign diplomatic missions as staff of the institutions to support their visa applications.
It further claimed that some applicants paid between $8,000 and $9,000 for the arrangements.
However, the Sports Ministry has rejected allegations of corruption against Kofi Adams and the ministry
Its spokesperson, Wonder Sitsofe Mandel, said the minister did not approve or guarantee visas for the individuals named in the disputed request.
On their part, the NSA has also denied the allegations and said it is cooperating with the police investigation.
However, reacting to this, the NPP communicator argued that the minister should be held accountable alongside suspended National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah while investigations into the matter continue.
Senyo Amekplenu made the call during an interview on Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme on Friday, October 9, describing the handling of the controversy as a sign of incompetence.
He argued that the minister should not continue overseeing the affairs of the ministry while allegations involving officials and the travel arrangements remain under investigation.
“Mr Ampofo alone should not be used as a scapegoat. The minister, Honourable Kofi Adams, who is the blamed MP, he must step aside,” he said.