Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has stated that his ministry was not informed of any visa arrangements between the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the United States Embassy ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This revelation comes amid a controversy over visa arrangements involving the NSA, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), and a private entity.
The controversy has sparked calls for investigations into the roles of the institutions and their officials. Kofi Adams, also the Member of Parliament for Buem, made these comments during an interview on TV3. He emphasized that the ministry had no knowledge of any agreement between the NSA and the US Embassy regarding visa acquisition for the World Cup.
According to Adams, the embassy and the NSA did not communicate their progress or any arrangements to the Sports Ministry. He mentioned that as of his last update, the engagement was still ongoing to establish the rules and boundaries of operations. This has raised concerns about the coordination and transparency in the visa application process for the World Cup.
The visa requirements for officials travelling on government business differ from those travelling with the Ghana Football Association (GFA). Adams explained that GFA personnel would need to apply for B1/B2 visitor visas, while employees of the NSA and GTA travelling on official government business would require diplomatic visas. This distinction is crucial for understanding the complexities of the visa arrangements.
The NSA had engaged with the US Embassy, but these discussions were not related to visa acquisition, according to Adams. The minister acknowledged the engagement but maintained that it was outside the scope of visa issuance. This clarification has not alleviated concerns about the involvement of state agencies and private organisations in facilitating travel linked to the 2026 World Cup.
The controversy has led to calls for a broader investigation, with the Minority in Parliament arguing that accountability should extend beyond former NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, who was suspended and later dismissed amid the controversy. The Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service has launched an investigation into the allegations, aiming to uncover the extent of the involvement of various entities.
The situation highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the management of international sports events, particularly those involving governmental and private entities. The Sports Ministry's lack of awareness about the NSA's visa arrangements with the US Embassy underscores the importance of clear communication and coordination among stakeholders.
Key points
- The Sports Ministry was not informed of visa arrangements between the NSA and the US Embassy for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- The controversy has sparked calls for investigations into the roles of institutions and their officials.
- The visa requirements differ for officials travelling on government business and those with the Ghana Football Association.
