Old Tafo MP challenges Sports Minister's claim that all World Cup travellers returned

The Ranking Member of Parliament's Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has disputed claims by Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams that all Ghanaians sponsored to attend the 2026 World Cup in North America have returned home.

Adams, who appeared before Parliament's Sports Committee, reportedly told members that all 431 individuals sponsored for the tournament had returned to Ghana after the competition.

However, Assafuah questioned the accuracy of the figures, alleging that some of the sponsored travellers remain abroad.

Speaking to Asempa FM, the Old Tafo MP claimed that among those who had not returned was an individual he identified as the minister's driver.

"Meanwhile, I know that he sponsored his driver, Mr Otchere, who did not come back. The guy is currently in Canada," Assafuah said.

He also alleged that a staff member from the Chief Director's office who travelled as part of the delegation had not returned.

"There is a secretary at the Chief Director's office who was sponsored as part of the 431. That person is still not back. Meanwhile, he's telling the people of Ghana that 431 people came," he added.

Assafuah further claimed that some individuals who travelled to the World Cup presented themselves as employees of the National Sports Authority (NSA) despite not being members of staff.

"Per my information, there are a number of people who represented themselves as staff of the NSA, who were not staff," he said.

The MP also referenced a report by Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail, which he said indicated that 45 people were seeking asylum in Canada following the World Cup.

"What does that mean? It means that there were people who were sponsored on a visa for the World Cup, and as soon as they go to Canada, they fail to come back," Assafuah said.

The Sports Ministry has not publicly responded to the allegations. Kofi Adams had earlier told Parliament's Sports Committee that all 431 sponsored travellers had returned after the tournament.