KPDOnline.net has obtained a document containing a list of journalists, bloggers and digital content creators, raising questions about the Minority’s claim that only two media personalities were involved in the matter under discussion.

The document in the possession of KPDOnline.net contains 50 numbered entries, alongside passport-number fields for the individuals listed.

KPDOnline.net can confirm that the document contains more than two entries for media personalities, contrary to the figure cited by the Minority.

The document, which includes personal identification details, is in the possession of KPDOnline.net and forms part of information being examined in connection with the ongoing controversy.

The development raises questions about the basis of the Minority’s claim and the number of media personalities captured in the document.

KPDOnline.net will continue to follow the issue and provide further information as more details emerge.

Stay tuned to KPDOnline.net for more details.

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has denied allegations that it collected money from applicants in exchange for visas or visa opportunities for participants expected to take part in tourism promotion activities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a statement issued on Friday, October 9, 2026, the Authority said it did not collect payments from applicants for visas and insisted that its Chief Executive Officer, Maame Efua Houadjeto, neither solicited nor received money to secure visas for participants.

The clarification follows public commentary and allegations surrounding visa application arrangements connected to Ghana’s tourism promotion activities during the upcoming World Cup.

The GTA said it considered it necessary to explain the circumstances surrounding its involvement in the initiative and address what it described as misconceptions about the responsibilities of the institution and its Chief Executive Officer.

According to the Authority, the 2026 FIFA World Cup presented an opportunity to showcase Ghana’s tourism potential, culture, music, fashion, crafts and creative industries to international audiences.

The GTA explained that, as the statutory institution responsible for promoting Ghana as a tourism destination, it identified the global football tournament as an important platform for international tourism promotion.

It said the initiative was presented to and approved by the Board of the Authority before plans were made for the participation of various groups.

The programme was expected to involve cultural troupes, musicians, exhibitors, media practitioners, tourism industry representatives, GTA staff and heads of related agencies.

The Authority maintained that the initiative was intended to promote Ghana’s tourism and creative sectors to a global audience during the World Cup.

The Authority disclosed that it engaged the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission to obtain guidance on visa application requirements and procedures for the identified participants.

It said its involvement was limited to identifying the relevant participating groups, facilitating appropriate institutional introductions and providing guidance on the application process.

The GTA stressed that it had no authority to issue visas, guarantee approvals or determine the outcome of individual applications.

According to the statement, those decisions rested exclusively with the respective diplomatic and immigration authorities.

The clarification seeks to distinguish the Authority’s role in facilitating the initiative from the official responsibilities of the institutions that process and approve visa applications

The GTA also explained the financial arrangements for the proposed participation, stating that it initially explored the possibility of obtaining private-sector sponsorship to support the groups involved.

However, it said the substantial financial requirements made the proposed sponsorship arrangement impracticable.

As a result, participants were informed that they would have to pay their own visa application fees, travel expenses and accommodation costs.

The Authority added that participating groups independently engaged travel agents to assist with transportation, accommodation and other travel arrangements.

It used the statement to reject allegations that it collected money from applicants in exchange for visas or opportunities to obtain visas.

“The Ghana Tourism Authority unequivocally denies collecting money from any applicant in return for visas or visa opportunities,” the statement said.

The Chief Executive Officer also categorically denied soliciting, receiving or authorising payments for the purpose of securing visas.

The Authority further addressed questions surrounding the participation of media-related professionals in the tourism promotion initiative.

It argued that modern tourism promotion extends beyond conventional journalists employed by traditional media organisations.

According to the GTA, bloggers, social media influencers, digital content creators, photographers, videographers and other communications professionals play recognised roles in destination marketing and international tourism promotion.

The Authority said the professional relevance of participants should therefore be assessed based on their intended functions and promotional responsibilities rather than solely on whether they fall within conventional journalism classifications.

The explanation suggests that the programme’s media component was intended to incorporate different forms of digital communication and content creation capable of promoting Ghana to international audiences.

The GTA Chief Executive Officer, Maame Efua Houadjeto, also defended her involvement in the initiative, stating that she acted in the discharge of her official responsibilities and in furtherance of the Authority’s tourism promotion mandate.

She firmly denied any personal involvement in the sale of visas or the collection of money from applicants in exchange for visa opportunities.

The statement said the circumstances surrounding the programme should be assessed using verified facts, institutional records and a clear understanding of the respective responsibilities of the parties involved.

It added that the Authority recognises the importance of public accountability and remains committed to protecting the integrity of its institutional mandate.

The Authority concluded by reaffirming its commitment to promoting Ghana’s tourism and creative industries while maintaining public confidence in its operations.

It said it would continue to uphold transparency, responsible administration and the national interest.

The statement was issued by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority on October 9, 2026, as the institution sought to clarify its role in the arrangements for tourism promotion activities associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW

Old Tafo Member of Parliament and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has raised fresh questions over the list of media personnel reportedly submitted as part of Ghana’s arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking on Asempa FM, Assafuah alleged that the United States and Canadian embassies had agreed to facilitate arrangements for about 50 media personnel, but claimed that his investigations found only two people on the list whom he identified as genuine media practitioners.

He named broadcaster Andy Dosty and Philip Narh as the two people he said were identified as genuine media personnel.

According to the Old Tafo MP, the findings raised questions about the identities and status of the remaining people who were included in the list.

Assafuah further alleged that some individuals connected to the arrangements were paid thousands of dollars, with figures ranging between US$9,000 and US$10,000.

He claimed that he had evidence relating to some of the alleged payments and activities of people who travelled under the arrangements.

The MP said the matter was particularly concerning because, in his view, Ghanaian public institutions should not be used to present people who are not employees of those institutions as though they were official staff or representatives.

He said such practices could damage Ghana’s reputation when Ghanaian officials engage foreign diplomatic missions.

Assafuah argued that the issue should not be reduced to the role of a private travel or event organisation, insisting that attention must be placed on how public institutions participated in the process.

He also questioned attempts to shift attention towards TRIBE, arguing that if people who were not staff of the **National Sports Authority (NSA)** or other public institutions were presented as such, responsibility should be investigated within the institutions that provided the information.

The MP’s comments form part of broader concerns he and the Minority in Parliament have raised about Ghana’s World Cup visa arrangements involving the NSA, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ministry of Sports and Recreation and TRIBE Culture Fest.

The Minority has alleged that some individuals were presented to foreign missions under institutional identities that they did not actually hold. These allegations remain subject to investigation and responses from the institutions involved.

Assafuah also linked the matter to the removal of former NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, arguing that the decision should not end investigations into the broader arrangements.

He said the Minority would continue to pursue the matter to establish what happened and ensure that the Ghanaian public receives answers.

The controversy over Ghana’s preparations and travel arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken a new turn, with Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, making fresh allegations involving the National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), TRIBE Culture Fest and officials of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

Mr Assafuah made the allegations at a press conference on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, where he claimed that newly obtained documents raised concerns about how public institutions may have been represented in dealings with foreign missions over visa arrangements for Ghanaians planning to travel to the tournament.

His claims come shortly after the removal of NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah amid controversy over an alleged visa facilitation arrangement.

The Minority had earlier demanded that Mr Ankrah step aside to allow investigations into the matter.

However, Mr Assafuah argued that his removal should not be considered the end of the issue, insisting that responsibility must be traced beyond one individual.

“The dismissal of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah does not, by itself, resolve the issues before us. Accountability cannot end with one individual.”

Claims of Visa Allocation to GTA and NSA

According to documents referenced by the Minority, discussions surrounding the visa arrangements allegedly involved the United States Embassy, TRIBE Culture Fest, the NSA and the GTA.

The Minority claims that after the engagement, the US and Canadian missions allocated 600 and 400 visa slots respectively to the GTA and NSA.

The slots were reportedly intended for staff and affiliates who were expected to travel in connection with promotional, cultural and World Cup-related activities.

However, the claims presented at the press conference have not been independently verified.

Questions Over NSA and TRIBE Agreement

Mr Assafuah also drew attention to a Memorandum of Understanding reportedly signed between the NSA and TRIBE Culture Fest on June 2, 2025.

According to the Minority, the agreement gave TRIBE Culture Fest access to NSA facilities to carry out approved activities linked to Ghana’s participation in the 2026 World Cup.

The arrangement has raised questions about the extent of access granted to the private organisation and the terms under which it was allowed to operate within public sports facilities.

The Minority is seeking clarification on the authority under which the agreement was entered into and the responsibilities of each party.

Allegations Over Visa and Accommodation Charges

Another major concern raised by the Minority relates to alleged fees paid by individuals seeking assistance with their World Cup travel arrangements.

Mr Assafuah claimed that TRIBE Culture Fest had a separate arrangement with the GTA under which the organisation was expected to assist with visa processing and accommodation for GTA personnel travelling to the United States and Canada.

Under the alleged arrangement, GTA was reportedly expected to pay about US$3,000 per person for US visa-related arrangements and approximately US$2,000 for Canadian arrangements.

However, Mr Assafuah alleged that some people who were not employees of either the GTA or NSA were charged significantly higher amounts.

According to him, the amounts allegedly demanded from some individuals ranged between US$7,000 and US$14,000 per person.

Previous reports had also alleged that some prospective travellers paid as much as US$8,000, with more than US$600,000 reportedly collected in connection with the arrangements.

The allegations have not been conclusively established and remain subject to investigation.

Concerns Over GTA Media List

The Minority also questioned the authenticity and composition of a list of 50 people reportedly submitted by the GTA to the US Embassy as media personnel travelling for World Cup-related activities.

Mr Assafuah alleged that checks by the US Embassy’s Fraud Prevention Unit identified only two people on the list—Philip Narh and Andy Dosty, both associated with Multimedia—as identifiable media practitioners.

The Minority further claimed that some of the individuals included on the list had paid significant sums in relation to the World Cup travel arrangements.

These claims are yet to be independently verified.

Alleged Misrepresentation of NSA Officials

The press conference also brought fresh scrutiny to documents allegedly submitted to foreign missions in which certain individuals were described as officials of the NSA.

Mr Assafuah said an email dated January 28, 2026, and sent to the US Embassy presented 22 people as NSA personnel.

He claimed that a review of the names and positions revealed that some of the designations did not correspond with positions contained in the NSA’s organisational structure.

Among the examples cited was Comfort Ahiadome, who was allegedly presented as Board Secretary.

The Minority said other individuals were also assigned positions it claimed did not exist within the NSA’s official structure.

The Minority further alleged that on March 18, 2026, the US Embassy’s Fraud Prevention Unit raised concerns about four applicants whose stated positions required clarification.

They were identified as Ralph Egyir Quianoo, Belinda Tsey, Francis Frimpong Agyemang and Beryl Joycelyn Baabe Duut.

According to the Minority, the Embassy subsequently requested documentation proving their employment status, after which the NSA reportedly provided a letter confirming their appointments.

Questions Over Canadian Embassy Submission

Mr Assafuah also raised concerns over another list reportedly submitted by the NSA to the Canadian Embassy on June 8, 2026.

The list was said to contain the names of 102 individuals.

However, the Minority claimed that only 15 of those listed could be verified as NSA employees, raising questions about the institutional status of the remaining 87 people.

The Minority also pointed to alleged inconsistencies concerning individuals identified as Sports Development Officers, Security and Protocol Officers and Procurement Officers.

Mr Assafuah said the discrepancies require further investigation to establish who the individuals were, who authorised their inclusion and the basis on which they were presented as NSA personnel.

Minority Demands Answers

The Minority is demanding answers from the institutions involved and has outlined several questions it wants addressed.

Among them are:

• How many GTA employees eventually secured visas through the reported arrangement?
• How many of the 400 US and 600 Canadian visa slots were actually used?
• How many applications were approved and how many were rejected?
• Who authorised the engagement between the public institutions and TRIBE Culture Fest?
• What were the contractual responsibilities of each party, and what services were ultimately delivered?
• Who are the individuals known as “Chase” and “Diesel”, who were allegedly involved in the visa-processing arrangements?
• Was any visa-processing operation established at or near NSA facilities?
• What steps were taken after concerns were reportedly raised by GTA directors regarding accountability?

Calls for Broader Investigation

Mr Assafuah maintained that the removal of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah should not bring the matter to a close.

He argued that any official found to have violated administrative procedures should face the appropriate sanctions.

Where investigations uncover evidence of criminal wrongdoing, he said the matter should be referred to the relevant law-enforcement and prosecutorial authorities.

The Minority is therefore calling for a broader examination of the roles played by officials of the NSA, GTA, Ministry of Sports and Recreation and TRIBE Culture Fest.

The development comes as scrutiny continues over Ghana’s wider arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The NSA has previously denied authorising any visa facilitation or money-collection scheme and has indicated that it would cooperate with lawful investigations.

Former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo has publicly called for reconciliation within the family of the late Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo, pledging her support for her brother, Israel Kwadwo Safo, as the leader of the Kantanka Family and the Kristo Asafu Church.

In a statement, Sarah Adwoa Safo said she had chosen reconciliation in the interest of family unity, peace and the preservation of their late father’s legacy.

She acknowledged that differences, misunderstandings and grievances had emerged within the family following their father’s death but said the time had come for the family to move beyond those challenges.

According to her, her decision to pursue reconciliation is rooted in love, mutual respect and the enduring bond shared by the siblings.

A major aspect of her statement was her public recognition of Israel Kwadwo Safo as the leader of the Kantanka Family and the Kristo Asafu Church.

Sarah Adwoa Safo said she has immense love and respect for her brother and, in honour of their late father’s wishes, accepts him in that capacity.

“I have immense love and respect for my brother, Israel Kwadwo Safo, and in the spirit of honouring our father’s wishes, I publicly acknowledge and accept him as the Leader of the Kantanka Family and the Kristo Asafu Church,” she stated.

She further declared her support for Israel Kwadwo Safo and expressed her willingness to work with him for the benefit of the family and the church.

She said such cooperation would help advance the vision and legacy of their late father.

Sarah Adwoa Safo also emphasised that the legacy left behind by Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo should be treated as a collective inheritance and responsibility.

She urged the siblings to put their differences aside and work together to protect what their father built during his lifetime.

For her, preserving his legacy requires unity among his children and a shared commitment to ensuring that his values and achievements continue to inspire future generations.

She therefore appealed to the family to focus on what unites them rather than the issues that have divided them.

The former MP extended her call for reconciliation to members of the Kristo Asafu Church, the wider Kantanka family, and others who were associated with their late father and his work.

She appealed to them to respect the unity of the family and support efforts aimed at creating a peaceful new chapter.

Sarah Adwoa Safo said the family must embrace reconciliation, fraternity and a shared sense of purpose as they seek to protect and advance the legacy of Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo.

Her statement signals a renewed call for an end to divisions and a stronger collaboration among the siblings.

Concluding her statement, Sarah Adwoa Safo extended her goodwill to Israel Kwadwo Safo and her other siblings.

She expressed hope that the family would move forward with peace, forgiveness, healing and renewed strength.

She reaffirmed her commitment to reconciliation and family unity, saying the siblings have a shared responsibility to honour and preserve the legacy their late father left behind.

The statement was signed by Sarah Adwoa Safo.