The chairman of Parliament's Youth and Sports Committee, Ernest Norgbey, has declared that he will pursue anyone implicated in Ghana's 2026 World Cup travel scandal, even if that means going after his own party's Sports Minister, Kofi Eddie Adams. Norgbey emphasized his commitment to accountability, stating that no one will be shielded if investigations confirm wrongdoing. This move comes amid growing pressure on the Sports Minister and the Chief Executive of the Ghana Tourism Authority.
The controversy deepened after revelations that the US Embassy had verified only two of the 50 names the Ghana Tourism Authority submitted as media personnel seeking World Cup visas. This discrepancy has fuelled suspicions that the list was used to facilitate travel for people outside the media profession. The Minority in Parliament has demanded the immediate dismissal and prosecution of Kofi Eddie Adams and the GTA boss over their alleged roles in the visa arrangements.
Despite the strength of his vow, Norgbey cautioned that the allegations against the Minister and the GTA boss remain unproven and must be tested through proper investigation. He pointed out that the Criminal Investigations Department is already looking into the matter and warned against politicians pre-empting that process in the public arena. Norgbey emphasized the need for due process and urged politicians to allow the investigative authorities to handle the matter.
The visa scandal is the latest flashpoint in a broader controversy surrounding the National Sports Authority and World Cup-related travel arrangements. The Ghana Tourism Authority is the state body responsible for promoting and regulating tourism, and it was reportedly tasked with compiling the list of media personnel to accompany the Ghanaian delegation to the World Cup. The scandal centres on claims that the list was padded with names unrelated to journalism in order to secure US visas.
Norgbey's comments have intensified pressure on the Sports Minister, with the Minority demanding his dismissal and prosecution. The CID investigation is ongoing, but no official timeline has been given for its conclusion. The issue has sparked a heated debate in Parliament, with the Minority pushing for accountability and the Majority defending the government's actions.
The controversy has also led to NSA official Ampofo Ankrah breaking his silence over what he described as "unrelenting" pressure following his decision to step aside amid the fallout. The Ghanaian government has yet to respond to the allegations, but Norgbey's vow to investigate anyone implicated, including his own minister, has been seen as a significant development in the scandal.
As the investigation continues, Parliament has yet to announce a date for further debate on the Minority's demands. The outcome of the CID investigation and the subsequent actions taken by the government will be closely watched by the Ghanaian public and the international community. The scandal has raised questions about accountability and transparency in the government's dealings.
Key points
- Norgbey vows to investigate anyone implicated in the 2026 World Cup visa scandal, including Sports Minister Kofi Eddie Adams.
- The controversy centres on claims that the list of media personnel was padded with names unrelated to journalism to secure US visas.
- The CID investigation is ongoing, but no official timeline has been given for its conclusion.
