The Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) has denied involvement in alleged financial irregularities and visa fee collection linked to Ghana’s travel facilitation arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, distancing itself from the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and Tribe Culture Fest.
In a statement issued in Accra on October 14, 2026, the Federation said its participation in the initiative followed an invitation from the GTA as part of tourism promotion activities surrounding the tournament.
It maintained that participation slots were offered free of charge, with applicants and GHATOF responsible for related expenses.
GHATOF’s participation arose from an opportunity extended by GTA to industry stakeholders as part of the broader tourism promotional activities surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The participation slots were offered free of charge, while the associated expenses were to be borne by GHATOF and the applicants.
GHATOF said administrative problems emerged shortly before scheduled United States Embassy visa interviews, when its leadership discovered that DS-160 application forms had not been processed and visa fees had not been registered.
The Federation said it subsequently learned that Tribe Culture Fest had been assigned to handle the documentation.
The Federation was informed that a company called Tribe Culture Fest was handling the DS-160 forms. A representative of the company stated that the forms were ready at its office at the Accra Sports Stadium and would be delivered to the Embassy. After three hours, the forms had still not arrived, and no further communication had been received.
The statement also addressed a leaked internal memorandum concerning the matter. GHATOF said its president, Seth Ocran, later retracted remarks made to GTA chief executive officer Maame Efua Houadjeto on June 22, 2026, and issued an apology after receiving further information.
The Federation stressed that the document was intended for internal circulation and said its position should be assessed based on the arrangements made, payments for visa fees, administrative challenges and subsequent refunds.
The controversy has drawn public scrutiny over alleged large-scale visa racketeering involving the GTA, Tribe Culture Fest, the National Sports Authority and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation. The allegations have not, in the information provided, been established as proven wrongdoing.
GHATOF has called for structural reforms, demanding that future national promotional campaigns directly integrate recognized tourism trade associations from inception to guarantee transparency, accountability, and the protection of public confidence.
GHATOF reaffirms its commitment to working with the Ghana Tourism Authority and all tourism and hospitality stakeholders to advance Ghana’s tourism development and strengthen the country’s international profile.
Future national promotional initiatives should involve tourism and hospitality trade associations from the outset and be managed with clarity and accountability. Lessons must be learned from this episode to prevent a recurrence.
SOURCE: CHRISTIAN OPOKU McRich
