Assafuah Reveals GTA Directors’ Concerns Over World Cup Activation Programme

Old Tafo Member of Parliament and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has disclosed that several directors of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) petitioned the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer over aspects of Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking on Asempa FM, Mr Assafuah said the petition was related to the FIFA World Cup Destination Marketing Initiative and Activation Programme, particularly the collaboration between the GTA, TRIBE Culture Fest, the United States Embassy and the National Sports Authority (NSA).

According to the MP, the directors were concerned about how the programme was being handled and wanted the GTA leadership to provide clarity on certain decisions and allocations.

He said the directors believed they had been left out of parts of the process despite their positions within the Authority.

Mr Assafuah said the petition also sought information about certain slots reportedly allocated under the World Cup activation programme, including a reported allocation of 400 United States visas.

He explained that the directors wanted to know how the reported allocation was arrived at, who was responsible for the process and how the beneficiaries were selected.

Among the directors he identified as signatories to the petition were Angelo Yossi Dogbe, Director for the Northern Region; Spencer Doku Piedi, Director of ITBS at the GTA headquarters; Isaac Esiam, Director for Tema; Henry Yeludo, Director for the Western Region; and Moses Ndebugiri, also identified as a Western Region director.

Mr Assafuah said the petition was directed to the GTA leadership and sought answers concerning the Authority’s involvement in the World Cup Destination Marketing Initiative and Activation Programme.

He said the directors specifically wanted details about the collaboration with TRIBE, the US Embassy and the National Sports Authority, as well as the process through which various opportunities under the programme were allocated.

The Old Tafo MP said the concerns raised by the directors were significant because they suggested that there were internal questions within the GTA about the management of the World Cup-related programme.

He stressed the need for the relevant directors and officials to provide explanations so that the public could understand how the arrangements were made.

Mr Assafuah said the issue formed part of broader questions surrounding Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the role of state institutions in the related tourism and sports activation programmes.

He indicated that the Minority in Parliament would continue to examine the available documents and pursue accountability on matters concerning the World Cup arrangements.

The MP’s disclosure places further attention on the reported 400 US visa allocation and the internal petition by GTA directors, with questions remaining over the exact number of visas involved, the criteria for selecting beneficiaries and the respective responsibilities of the institutions participating in the programme.

The claims regarding the petition and visa allocation require confirmation from the Ghana Tourism Authority, National Sports Authority, Ministry of Sports and Recreation and other institutions involved.