Ranking Member of the Youth and Sports Committee in Parliament, Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has alleged that only two genuine journalists were among 50 people submitted by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to the United States Embassy as media personnel for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to him, the two journalists identified were Philip Narh and Andy Dosty, both associated with Multimedia.
He made the allegation at a press conference on Wednesday while raising concerns over what he described as serious irregularities in Ghana’s arrangements to facilitate visas for individuals seeking to travel to the United States and Canada for World Cup-related activities.
Also read: World Cup visa scandal: Sack Sports Minister, GTA Boss – Assafuah
Mr Assafuah said the US Embassy’s Fraud Prevention Unit scrutinised the 50-name list and raised questions about some of the applicants, including whether they were genuinely employed in the capacities stated.
He questioned who compiled, verified and authorised the list before it was submitted to the embassy.
“Who prepared the list? Who verified the names and their occupations? Who authorised the submission?” he asked, insisting that the answers are necessary to establish accountability.
The Ranking Member alleged that some applicants paid between US$8,000 and US$9,000 in connection with the visa arrangements, although he stressed that the claims require further investigation and independent verification.
He linked the controversy to arrangements involving the National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Sports and Recreation and TRIBE Culture Fest, which he said must be subjected to comprehensive scrutiny.
Mr Assafuah alleged that the US and Canadian authorities requested additional information on individuals presented as NSA staff, including their employment status, official positions and reasons for travelling.
Concerns, he said, were heightened after discrepancies emerged between the names submitted and the actual personnel records of the NSA.
According to him, the Canadian Embassy also requested a fresh list of NSA-affiliated applicants after seeking clarification about their employment and roles.
Mr Assafuah argued that the dismissal of former NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah should not bring the matter to an end.
“The dismissal of one individual cannot be the end of accountability,” he said, arguing that anyone found to have engaged in wrongdoing must face the appropriate consequences.
He also called for authorities to trace all monies allegedly collected from applicants and determine who received the funds, through which channels and for what purpose.
Mr Assafuah urged the government to investigate the roles played by officials of the NSA, GTA and Ministry of Sports and Recreation, as well as TRIBE Culture Fest, in the visa facilitation arrangements.
He maintained that administrative dismissal should not be confused with criminal accountability, stressing that where investigations establish evidence of criminal conduct, prosecution should follow.