World Cup visas: Hold TRIBE Culture Fest liable for defrauding applicants – Kofi Adams

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has accused TRIBE Culture Fest of defrauding individuals who paid for visa assistance to travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, demanding accountability for the alleged scheme.

Mr Adams said the amount involved was US$623,000, correcting earlier reports that put the figure at US$611,000. He maintained that those who paid for visa arrangements but could not travel were entitled to refunds.

His comments follow a challenge from TRIBE Culture Fest Chief Executive Officer, Nana Boateng Gyimah, who asked the Minister to provide evidence for his allegation that people associated with the organisation received US$611,000 in connection with the visa arrangements.

In a statement dated October 12, 2026, Mr Gyimah denied the claims, insisting that the company’s agreements were exclusively with the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA). He also denied that he or TRIBE Culture Fest had received the alleged amount from private individuals for the arrangements.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Tuesday, October 13, Mr Adams said reports and petitions submitted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) suggested that the company and some individuals had received money from prospective travellers.

“They may have been doing a so-called genuine business, but on this occasion and in this particular matter, they have defrauded the people, and they must be held liable for it and all others, including any government official who is found to have involved himself or herself in any way,” he said.

The Minister disclosed that the matter came to the attention of authorities after one of the individuals involved petitioned the CID over demands for refunds from people who had paid for visa assistance but were unable to travel.

“One of them actually petitioned the CID to indicate that, look, when we return from the World Cup, people are pursuing us. I’ve made some refunds. The rest are refusing to make refunds even after a series of meetings,” he said.

According to Mr Adams, some of the affected individuals have reportedly received refunds, while others are still waiting for their money despite several meetings, including engagements held at the AH Hotel.

He stressed that the allegations did not involve the loss of government funds, explaining that the payments were allegedly made by private individuals without the government’s knowledge.

“No government money has been lost. It is individuals who paid this money to them, on the blind side of the government arrangement,” he said.

However, Mr Adams argued that the involvement of a government agency in the arrangements made the matter a legitimate concern for the government.

He explained that the United States Embassy had introduced TRIBE Culture Fest to the NSA and the GTA ahead of activities planned around the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Minister said the NSA’s involvement distinguished the arrangement from transactions conducted independently by private companies and justified further scrutiny of the allegations.

The CID is investigating the alleged visa facilitation scheme, with Mr Adams insisting that anyone found culpable, including government officials, must be held accountable.