World Cup visa scandal: OSP must not end at announcement of probe – Ekow Assafuah

The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has urged the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to ensure that its investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup sponsorship and travel arrangements leads to concrete outcomes.

He said the probe must go beyond an announcement and result in answers, accountability and prosecution if criminal wrongdoing is established.

Ekow Assafuah made the call in a social media post on Tuesday, November 10, following the OSP’s decision to investigate the allegations.

“We welcome the decision by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to assume jurisdiction and investigate the alleged corruption and financial irregularities surrounding Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup sponsorship and travel arrangements,” he said.

The Old Tafo MP said the investigation followed a petition he submitted to the OSP, after which he and other representatives were invited for an engagement lasting about four hours.

He said they presented documentary evidence, answered questions and provided further explanations on the issues raised.

The Old Tafo MP also questioned the transparency of a committee established by President John Dramani Mahama to investigate the matter, arguing that the OSP offered a more credible avenue for an independent investigation.

He called on the anti-graft body to examine all relevant transactions, scrutinise beneficiary lists, trace payments and investigate how travel opportunities were allocated.

He further urged the OSP to establish the circumstances surrounding claims that some winners of competitions linked to the sponsorship initiative were excluded from the final lists submitted to foreign diplomatic missions.

“Ultimately, this investigation must not end with an announcement that investigations have commenced. It must end with answers, accountability and, where the evidence establishes criminal wrongdoing, prosecution. The Ghanaian people deserve nothing less,” he added.

The OSP announced on Monday, November 9, that it had opened investigations into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences involving contracts awarded by the National Sports Authority (NSA) to service providers.

The Office said it had also received petitions alleging financial irregularities and possible abuse of public office in arrangements relating to Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The allegations include concerns about the selection and accreditation of sponsorship beneficiaries, visa facilitation, payments reportedly made by prospective beneficiaries, the management of sponsorship proceeds and the allocation of travel opportunities.