World Cup visa scandal deepens discontent among NDC grassroots – Prof Smart Sarpong

Senior Research Fellow at the Kumasi Technical University, Professor Smart Sarpong, has said the World Cup visa controversy has deepened discontent among some supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), with some feeling neglected despite their efforts to help the party win power.

Speaking on Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme on Monday, October 26, Prof Sarpong said some grassroots supporters were unhappy over reports that opportunities to travel to the 2026 FIFA World Cup were allegedly offered for sale.

He said the controversy had reinforced perceptions among some party supporters that those who worked on the ground to secure electoral victory were being overlooked while some party officials and appointees enjoyed the benefits of power.

According to him, he personally know two people from the Western and Ashanti regions who had completed processes they believed would enable them to travel to the tournament but were ultimately unsuccessful.

Prof Sarpong said their experience had contributed to a sense of disappointment, particularly amid reports that some travel opportunities were allegedly being sold for thousands of dollars.

“The sports scandal thing has caused disaffection in the base. In fact, the base were somehow assured of some slots to travel to America, Canada and Mexico,” he said.

He added that some supporters felt hurt that they had worked for the party but could not access the opportunities they believed had been promised to them.

The researcher also criticised what he described as greed among some NDC executives, Members of Parliament and government appointees, accusing some of prioritising personal interests over the needs of their constituencies.

“Some of the executives are greedy. Let’s admit, we are all human beings. I’m not saying it because of NDC. Both NPP and NDC executive and appointees and MPs. Some of them are greedy,” he stated.

Prof Sarpong further alleged that some political figures had focused on securing government contracts rather than attending to their constituencies, with some allegedly exchanging or arranging contracts across constituencies in ways that could obscure who benefited.

He cautioned that such conduct could damage the party’s relationship with its grassroots, arguing that political executives should not underestimate the influence of ordinary members who organise campaigns, mount party flags and mobilise voters.