Ghana Tourism Authority denies collecting money for World Cup visas
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has denied collecting money from applicants in exchange for visas or visa opportunities linked to its tourism promotion activities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Maame Efua Houadjeto, also denied soliciting, receiving or authorising payments to secure visas, insisting that the GTA’s role was limited to facilitating applications for selected participants.
In a statement issued on Friday, 9 October, in response to allegations by the Minority Caucus in Parliament, the GTA said the initiative was intended to promote Ghana’s tourism, culture, music, fashion, crafts and creative industries to international audiences during the tournament.
“The initiative was presented to and approved by the Board of the Authority,” the statement said.
The programme involved several categories of participants, including cultural troupes, musicians, exhibitors, media practitioners, tourism industry representatives, GTA staff and heads of related agencies.
The Authority said it engaged the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission for guidance on visa requirements and application procedures.
However, it stressed that it had no authority to issue visas, guarantee approvals or influence decisions, which rested solely with the relevant diplomatic and immigration authorities.
“The Authority’s role was limited to identifying relevant participating groups, facilitating appropriate institutional introductions and providing guidance on the application process,” the statement added.
“At no point did GTA possess the authority to issue visas, guarantee visa approvals or determine the outcomes of individual applications.”
- GTA defends inclusion of influencers and content creators
The Authority also defended the inclusion of bloggers, social media influencers, digital content creators, photographers and videographers in the initiative.
It argued that tourism promotion extended beyond traditional journalism and established media organisations, with participants expected to contribute to showcasing Ghana’s attractions and creative industries to international audiences.
According to the GTA, participants should be assessed based on their intended promotional roles and responsibilities rather than solely on their professional affiliations.
Houadjeto maintained that her involvement in the initiative formed part of her official duties and was intended to advance the Authority’s tourism promotion mandate.
- Authority calls for assessment based on verified facts
The GTA said it remained committed to public accountability and urged the public to assess the allegations using verified facts, institutional records and a clear understanding of the responsibilities of the various parties involved.
The statement comes amid scrutiny of arrangements involving prospective participants in tourism promotion activities associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to provide a global platform for countries to promote their tourism destinations, cultural heritage and creative industries.
The GTA’s statement did not provide further details on the number of participants involved in the initiative or the total cost of the programme.
- Full statement: