World Cup Visa Storm: Kojo’s GTA Questions Resurface as Minority Demands Action

President of the Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP), Kojo Preko Dankwa, had earlier called for a thorough investigation into the Ghana Tourism Authority’s (GTA) handling of arrangements for Ghanaians who travelled to watch the Black Stars at the 2026 World Cup.

His concerns have now been echoed by the Minority in Parliament, which is demanding broader accountability over alleged irregularities surrounding Ghana’s World Cup visa arrangements.

Kojo Preko Dankwa had called for an investigation or the establishment of a committee to examine how the GTA handled its role in facilitating the travel of supporters to watch Ghana’s matches.

“I am asking for that investigation or a committee to look into how they dealt with the World Cup in terms of getting people to go watch the Black Stars during the World Cup,” he said.

He raised concerns after videos and reports emerged alleging irregularities in the process of obtaining visas for people who wanted to travel to watch the tournament.

Kojo Preko Dankwa also questioned the role of Bright Asempa, whom he identified as a former Corporate Affairs Manager of the GTA, saying his name had surfaced in discussions surrounding the alleged visa controversy.

He questioned why Asempa was no longer with the Authority and why the circumstances surrounding his departure had not been publicly explained.

“His name is Bright Asempa, and his name has appeared in scandals that are happening within the visa connections and visa racketeering when it comes to the World Cup.”

He further raised questions about slots reportedly allocated to the GTA to facilitate the attendance of Ghanaians at Black Stars matches.

“Because if they had several slots that they were supposed to deal with, did they sell it? And if they did not sell it, why is their former or current Corporate Affairs Manager Bright Asempa’s name flying in and out of these scandals coming from National Sports Council?”

Kojo Preko Dankwa said the matter required an investigation to establish whether the GTA was involved in any wrongdoing and to determine what happened to the slots reportedly allocated to the Authority.

He also questioned the circumstances surrounding Bright Asempa’s reported removal, noting that the former official’s name had again surfaced in allegations linked to the World Cup visa arrangements.

“We want to know why he was sacked. We want a thorough investigation done on this same World Cup Black Star Visa issues where GTA had a certain number of slots to take Ghanaians to go watch the Black Star match at the World Cup.”

His earlier call for scrutiny has now gained renewed relevance following demands by the Minority in Parliament for a wider investigation into the alleged visa irregularities.

At a press conference on Wednesday, October 7, Ranking Member on the Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, demanded the immediate dismissal of Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams and GTA Chief Executive Officer Maame Afua Houadjeto.

The Minority’s demand follows President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to ask National Sports Authority Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah to step aside while the police investigate the allegations.

Assafuah argued that the action against the former NSA boss should not end the accountability process.

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

According to the Minority, documents in its possession point to the involvement of the NSA, GTA, TRIBE Culture Fest and officials within the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

The Minority alleges that some individuals who were not employees or affiliates of public institutions were presented as such in dealings with foreign diplomatic missions.

It is also questioning alleged payments ranging from US$7,000 to US$14,000 by individuals seeking access to the visa arrangements.

The Minority wants the roles of the Sports Minister, GTA leadership, NSA officials, TRIBE Culture Fest and other individuals named in the documents investigated.

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 Maame Afua Houadjeto pending the outcome of investigations.

Kojo Preko Dankwa, who raised concerns about the GTA’s World Cup arrangements before the Minority’s latest intervention, has similarly insisted that the matter must be investigated to establish the facts.

He said an investigation would help determine whether the GTA had any involvement in the alleged visa-related activities and protect the credibility of the Authority.

“We need to investigate. We need to understand what is really happening.”

He also warned against allowing the issue to become another controversy involving public officials and visa arrangements.

“We cannot sit and see corruption. We cannot sit and see other things that are done to make the whole GTA look bad in the eyes of the people.”

The emerging calls for an investigation therefore place renewed focus on the GTA’s role in the World Cup travel arrangements and whether public institutions or individuals breached established procedures in facilitating visas for Ghanaian supporters.