The Minority in Ghana's Parliament has demanded the removal of the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Afua Houadjeto. This call follows allegations of irregularities in Ghana's 2026 World Cup visa arrangements. The demand was made during a press conference in Accra on October 7, 2026.
The Minority's call for removal comes after President John Dramani Mahama instructed the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, to step aside pending police investigations into the allegations. The Ranking Member on the Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, addressed the media. He emphasized that the President's action should be the beginning of a broader accountability process.
According to the Minority, documents in their possession indicate the involvement of several entities, including the National Sports Authority, the Ghana Tourism Authority, TRIBE Culture Fest, and officials within the Ministry of Sports and Recreation. They alleged that individuals not affiliated with public institutions were presented as employees or affiliates in dealings with foreign diplomatic missions.
The Minority also raised concerns about alleged payments of between $7,000 and $14,000 by individuals seeking access to the visa arrangements. They called for investigations into the roles of the Sports Minister, the leadership of the tourism authority, officials of the sports authority, and TRIBE Culture Fest. The Minority emphasized that officials found administratively culpable should face sanctions.
Vincent Ekow Assafuah stressed that dismissal from office is not equivalent to accountability for criminal conduct. He stated that where there is evidence of a crime, the appropriate law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities must pursue the matter. The Minority described the situation as involving the alleged use of Ghanaian public institutions' names, authority, and credibility in dealings with foreign diplomatic missions.
The Minority cited instances where positions were attributed to individuals that did not exist within the organisational structure of the National Sports Authority. They also mentioned that the Fraud Prevention Unit of the United States Embassy identified discrepancies involving four applicants and sought evidence establishing their employment with the National Sports Authority.
The Canadian Embassy subsequently requested clarification of the employment rules and reasons for travel of persons described as affiliated with the sports authority. The Minority's demands for accountability and investigation reflect concerns about the integrity of Ghana's public institutions and their involvement in international dealings.
Key points
- The Minority in Parliament calls for the removal of Sports Minister Kofi Adams and GTA CEO Maame Afua Houadjeto amid allegations of irregularities in 2026 World Cup visa arrangements.
- The allegations involve the use of Ghanaian public institutions' names and credibility in dealings with foreign diplomatic missions.
- The Minority demands investigations into the roles of various officials and entities, including the Sports Minister, GTA leadership, and TRIBE Culture Fest.
