Kofi Adams, Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, denied any knowledge of a visa arrangement between the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the United States Embassy related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His statement came during a TV3 interview on Sunday, October 11, amid a growing controversy involving the NSA, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), and a private company called TRIBE Culture Fest.
Adams said neither the embassy nor the NSA had informed the ministry about any visa deal. “The embassy did not communicate to us, where they have reached, the NSA did not communicate to us where they have reached, the NSA did not communicate to us if they had any arrangement with the embassy, so all up till this point we knew that we are still having the engagement and setting the rules and boundaries of operations,” he said.
The dispute revolves around visa submissions for officials and employees travelling abroad for activities linked to the 2026 World Cup. The NSA and GTA are government agencies whose officials travelling on official duty require diplomatic visas, Adams explained. In contrast, staff of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) must apply for visitor B1 or B2 visas.
“NSA and GTA are governmental agencies, this is important because travellers who work for the GFA will need to apply for visitor B1, B2 visas, where employees of the NSA and GTA who are travelling on official government business will need to apply for diplomatic visas,” Adams said.
He admitted the NSA had discussions with the US Embassy but insisted they were unrelated to visa issuance. “Yes the NSA were having their own engagement with the embassy but not in relation to the issuance of visas, those engagements were outside of the visa acquisition,” he added.
The controversy intensified after the suspension and dismissal of former NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, who was implicated in the visa matter. The Minority in Parliament has demanded a wider probe, questioning the involvement of multiple institutions and officials beyond Ankrah.
The Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service has opened an investigation into the allegations. The inquiry aims to clarify the circumstances around the visa arrangements and determine if any individuals or agencies violated protocols.
TRIBE Culture Fest, a private entity, is also under scrutiny for its role in facilitating travel linked to the World Cup preparations. The Ghana Tourism Authority’s involvement has raised questions about the coordination among government bodies and private organisations in managing official overseas trips.
As the investigation unfolds, the Sports Minister’s denial adds another layer of complexity. The line between government agencies and private groups handling logistics for international events remains blurred.
The outcome of the police probe will shape the official narrative on how visa approvals for the 2026 World Cup delegation were handled. The stakes involve not just administrative accountability but also Ghana’s image in international football circles.
According to Joy Online.
