The CEO of Tribe Culture Fest, Nana Boateng Gyimah, has denied allegations made by Ghana's Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, of illegally receiving $611,000 and avoiding a refund. Gyimah stated that Tribe Culture Fest's agreement was solely with the National Sports Authority and Ghana Tourism Authority, and that neither he nor his company received the alleged $611,000 from any private individual.
Minister Kofi Adams had accused Gyimah of being behind visa fraud allegations against him and other government officials. According to Adams, Gyimah has been providing false information to divert attention from money he allegedly collected under an agreement between his company and the National Sports Authority to transport Ghanaians to the 2026 World Cup.
Adams claimed that Gyimah took about $611,000 illegally and is now driving narratives to avoid refunding the money. He stated that the individual, identified as SFY, was pushing information into the public domain to cloud the circumstances surrounding the money and avoid refunding it. Adams emphasized that Gyimah cannot run away with $611,000 of people's money.
In an interview on TV3 on October 11, 2026, Adams disclosed details of communication involving the US Embassy and his ministry over the verification of four individuals presented as part of a submission for visa processing. The embassy had requested information on the four individuals in a submission made directly by the NSA on March 18, 2026.
Adams said he contacted the NSA's Director-General to establish whether the individuals were genuine employees and requested their staff identification numbers, salary levels, employment dates, and duty stations. The Director-General informed him that the four individuals were not NSA employees, prompting Adams to respond to the verification request.
Gyimah challenged Adams to produce evidence supporting his claims, including any agreement, authorization, or consent involving him or Tribe Culture Fest that establishes the alleged financial arrangement. He categorically denied the allegations attributed to Adams, stating that Tribe Culture Fest's agreement was solely with the National Sports Authority and Ghana Tourism Authority.
The controversy surrounds a list of 90 people submitted for visa processing ahead of Ghana's participation in the FIFA World Cup. Adams stressed that the four individuals in question belonged to an earlier submission and were not part of the 90-person list at the centre of the current controversy.
Key points
- The CEO of Tribe Culture Fest denies allegations of illegally receiving $611,000.
- The Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, accuses the CEO of visa fraud and taking money illegally.
- The controversy involves Ghana's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and visa processing for team members.
