NPP demands inquiry over alleged $600,000 World Cup visa payments

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has demanded a public inquiry into allegations that more than US$600,000 was collected from people seeking visa and travel assistance for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The party wants Parliament to summon Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams and the chief executive of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to explain their roles in the arrangements.

Its communications director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, said on Thursday that Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee should establish what happened and identify anyone responsible for wrongdoing.

Mr Adams has said he is willing to face a parliamentary investigation, while the private company involved, Tribe Culture Fest, has denied receiving the alleged payments from individuals.

Addressing journalists on October 15, Mr Aboagye said applicants who had paid public institutions for assistance should be encouraged to come forward.

“Many of them were ordinary Ghanaians who trusted the name of a public institution,” he said.

The NPP wants any money recovered returned to those affected. It also called for a firm deadline for investigations and the publication of the findings, warning that delays and unclear outcomes could undermine public confidence.

Mr Aboagye said an inquiry would help reassure Ghana’s international partners that any wrongdoing uncovered had not been sanctioned by the state.

The party also demanded the release of agreements and correspondence relating to the arrangements. These include the National Sports Authority’s memorandum of understanding with Tribe Culture Fest, a supplementary agreement and the GTA’s agreement with the company.

It wants lists submitted to the United States and Canadian embassies published, alongside a Foreign Affairs Ministry letter dated 28 May 2026.

The ministry should also explain its discussions with the embassies and what it was doing to protect Ghanaian travellers from possible repercussions, Mr Aboagye said.

Responding to the calls for scrutiny, Mr Adams told Citi FM he would cooperate with Parliament.

“I am a Member of Parliament, and I would not run away from a parliamentary probe if they so desire,” he said.

He rejected claims that his ministry had presented visa applicants as National Sports Authority officials, saying the individuals were described as volunteers and event coordinators. He also denied that a list had been submitted to Canadian authorities on the authority’s behalf.

Separately, Tribe Culture Fest chief executive Nana Boateng Gyimah has rejected an allegation by Mr Adams that he received US$611,000 from people seeking World Cup visas.

In a statement reported by the Ghana News Agency on 12 October, Mr Gyimah said the company’s agreements were with the sports and tourism authorities.

He challenged the minister to produce payment records supporting the

allegation.