Minority raises questions over alleged US$8,000–US$9,000 World Cup visa payments

Ranking Member of Parliaments Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has raised questions over alleged payments of between US$8,000 and US$9,000 by individuals seeking to travel to the United States under arrangements linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Assafuah addressed the media on Wednesday as the Minority presented documents and records it says raise questions about the administration of the World Cup visa arrangements involving the National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ministry of Sports and Recreation and TRIBE Culture Fest.According to the Minoritys briefing, the documented arrangement between the NSA and TRIBE provided for US$3,000 per person for United States visa-related processing, accommodation and logistics, while the corresponding cost for Canada was US$2,000.The Minority, however, alleges that some individuals were charged between US$8,000 and US$9,000, raising questions over the difference between the documented institutional fees and the amounts allegedly paid by applicants.The briefing calls for the financial trail to be established, including how much money was collected, who received it, the accounts or intermediaries through which it was transferred and what services the payments covered.The Minority also cited an alleged case involving an almost US$20,000 part-payment linked to individuals included in a visa arrangement. It said the alleged payments should be independently tested through bank records, payment records, telephone communications and other documentary evidence.The briefing further raised concerns over names submitted to foreign diplomatic missions as NSA personnel or affiliates, with the Minority saying its verification found that only 15 of 102 people submitted to the Canadian Embassy could be confirmed as NSA personnel.Assafuah and the Minority are calling for a full investigation into the visa arrangements and the roles of officials and entities connected to the process, insisting that any administrative or criminal responsibility established by the evidence should attract the appropriate sanctions.



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