The Minority in Ghana's Parliament has called for a broader investigation into an alleged World Cup visa scheme, citing irregularities and raising questions about the involvement of several institutions and officials. According to the Minority, the controversy goes beyond the suspension of former Sports Authority Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah. The alleged visa arrangements involve the National Sports Authority, Ghana Tourism Authority, Sports Ministry, and TRIBE Culture Fest.
The Minority disclosed that the US Embassy's Fraud Prevention Unit flagged four applicants and requested evidence to establish their employment with the National Sports Authority. This development raises questions about how the individuals were identified and presented as NSA personnel in connection with the visa arrangements. Some applicants allegedly presented themselves as NSA staff despite not being employees of the authority.
The Minority also revealed that the Canadian Embassy requested clarification regarding the identities and roles of applicants who had been presented as affiliates of the National Sports Authority. A total of 102 people were submitted to Canada as NSA personnel, but only 15 were verified, leaving 87 names unverified. The Minority is demanding an explanation for their inclusion and the basis on which they were presented as NSA personnel.
The Minority raised concerns over the amounts some applicants allegedly paid to facilitate the arrangements, with some paying between US$8,000 and US$9,000. This contrasts with an NSA arrangement that stated fees of US$3,000 for the United States and US$2,000 for Canada. The discrepancy has become one of the issues the Minority wants investigated.
The Minority also questioned positions allegedly assigned to some applicants, with concerns emerging over whether some of the positions presented as part of the NSA arrangements actually existed. Some individuals allegedly presented themselves as NSA employees despite not being employed by the authority. The issue requires investigators to establish how such individuals came to be presented as NSA personnel and whether any officials were involved.
The Minority called for the role of Sports Minister Kofi Adams in the controversy to be investigated, citing his involvement and responsibilities in relation to the arrangements. The Minority is also calling for Kofi Adams and the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority to be dismissed while demanding a wider investigation into the institutions and individuals connected to the matter.
The Minority wants the National Sports Authority, Ghana Tourism Authority, Sports Ministry, and TRIBE Culture Fest, as well as implicated officials, to be investigated. The investigations should determine the extent of administrative responsibility and establish whether any criminal conduct occurred. The Minority's position is that anyone found to have been administratively responsible should be sanctioned, while anyone found to be criminally liable should be prosecuted.
Key points
- The Minority in Ghana's Parliament calls for a broader investigation into the alleged World Cup visa scheme.
- The controversy involves several institutions, including the National Sports Authority and Ghana Tourism Authority.
- The Minority demands an explanation for the inclusion of 87 unverified names submitted to Canada as NSA personnel.
