Kofi Adams denies Sports Ministry involvement in World Cup visa scandal

Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has denied the Ministry’s involvement in the visa controversy surrounding Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The scandal has drawn allegations involving the National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and TRiBE Culture Fest.

The Ministry’s position was communicated by the Minister’s special aide, Wonder Mandel, during a media engagement on Friday, October 10, in response to claims by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Committee on Sports and Recreation, alleging the Ministry’s involvement in the controversy.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Adams, Mandel said the Ministry could not be held responsible for every action taken by the institutions and organisations linked to the matter.

“The Ministry is not here to certify every action undertaken by the NSA. We are not certifying every action by the GTA. We are not certifying every action by TRiBE Culture Fest,” he said.

Mandel called for a transparent process to establish whether commissions were paid and whether applicants were owed money.

“If commissions were paid, follow the accounts. If people are owed, let the refunds be done, let us recover their money for them,” he added.

He also insisted that anyone found responsible should be held accountable, arguing that responsibility must be based on the available evidence and the conduct of individuals involved.

“Nobody should be protected. Our objection is simply that accountability must attach to the person whose evidence and conduct established it,” Mandel said on behalf of the Minister.

The controversy has raised questions about the handling of visa applications and related arrangements connected to Ghana’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, with calls for accountability from the institutions and individuals involved.