Ghana's sports minister insists his ministry knew nothing about the World Cup visa arrangements until May, as the Minority demands his sacking.
Ghana's road to the 2026 World Cup has hit a political pothole. Sports Minister Kofi Adams is refusing to step aside over a visa row that has put his ministry and the country's sports bodies under serious pressure.
The Buem MP is responding to the Minority in Parliament, which has demanded his dismissal and prosecution over alleged irregularities in visa arrangements for supporters and officials travelling to the tournament. The scrutiny has grown since National Sports Authority Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah was suspended.
At a Parliament press conference, Ranking Member of the Sports Committee Vincent Ekow Assafuah alleged that some officials helped people who were not Ministry of Sports and Recreation employees apply for visas. He further claimed a cover letter was prepared to present these outsiders as ministry staff and help them secure their visas. The Minority also wants the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) dismissed and prosecuted over alleged involvement. These remain allegations.
Adams has denied any prior knowledge. He says the NSA, the GTA, the United States Embassy and TRIBE Culture Fest handled the arrangements without telling his ministry, and that his ministry only learned of the process in May.
With the Black Stars' World Cup journey already a source of national pride and expectation, the fight over who knew what, and when, is now a test of accountability in Ghanaian sports administration. The Minority is pressing for answers, and Adams is holding his ground.
