The Minority in Parliament has revealed that the US Embassy's Fraud Prevention Unit flagged four applicants included in the National Sports Authority's (NSA) visa arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The applicants, Ralph Egyir Quianoo, Belinda Tsey, Francis Frimpong Agyemang, and Beryl Joycelyn Baabe Duut, were presented with various positions that did not exist within the NSA's organisational structure.
According to Ranking Member of Parliament's Youth and Sports Committee Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the concerns were raised by the embassy on 18 March 2026. The four applicants were presented as an Operations Coordinator, Business Administrator, World Cup Coordinator, and Research and Technology Officer, respectively. However, the Minority's verification showed that these positions did not exist within the NSA.
The US Embassy's Fraud Prevention Unit requested employment letters or other documents to establish the applicants' relationship with the NSA. The NSA responded on the same day with a letter confirming the appointments and travel support of the four individuals. This development has raised questions about how the four applicants were presented to the US Embassy and who created the institutional identities under which they were presented.
Mr Assafuah said that a foreign diplomatic mission's Fraud Prevention Unit identified discrepancies and sought evidence establishing whether the individuals were actually employed by the NSA. The Minority is calling for an investigation to establish who prepared the list of applicants, who verified the information provided, and who authorised its submission to the US Embassy.
The claims form part of wider scrutiny of Ghana's arrangements for the 2026 World Cup, particularly the processes surrounding visa facilitation and travel arrangements for the tournament. The Minority's concerns have highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in the management of Ghana's World Cup preparations.
The four applicants at the centre of the controversy are yet to comment on the allegations. However, the NSA has a reputation to uphold, and the Authority must take steps to address the concerns raised by the US Embassy and the Minority in Parliament.
The development has significant implications for Ghana's participation in the 2026 World Cup. The country's football authorities must ensure that all visa applications are legitimate and that the necessary documentation is in order to avoid any further complications or embarrassment.
Key points
- The US Embassy's Fraud Prevention Unit flagged four Ghanaian World Cup visa applicants over discrepancies in their positions and links to the NSA.
- The applicants were presented with positions that did not exist within the NSA's organisational structure.
- The Minority in Parliament is calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the visa applications.
