The Minority in Parliament is demanding the immediate dismissal of Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams and Ghana Tourism Authority CEO Maame Afua Houadjeto over alleged irregularities in Ghana’s 2026 World Cup visa arrangements.
The demand follows President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to ask National Sports Authority Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah to step aside while police investigate the allegations. The Minority says the decision should be the start of a wider accountability process.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, October 7, Ranking Member on the Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, said responsibility should not end with the former NSA boss.
“The dismissal of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah does not, by itself, resolve the issues before us. Accountability cannot and does end with one individual.”
The Minority claims documents in its possession point to the involvement of the NSA, the Ghana Tourism Authority, TRIBE Culture Fest and officials within the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.
It alleges that individuals who were not employees or affiliates of public institutions were presented as such in dealings with foreign diplomatic missions.
The Minority is also questioning alleged payments of between US$7,000 and US$14,000 by individuals seeking access to the visa arrangements.
It is calling for investigations into the roles of the Sports Minister, GTA leadership, NSA officials, TRIBE Culture Fest and other individuals named in the documents.
Assafuah said officials found administratively culpable should be sanctioned, while anyone found to have committed a criminal offence must face prosecution.
“Dismissal is not prosecution. Removal from office is not accountability for criminal conduct. Where there is evidence of a crime, the appropriate law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities must pursue the matter.”
The Minority is therefore demanding the removal of Kofi Adams and the GTA CEO from office pending the outcome of investigations.
