MP rejects Mahama’s invitation over World Cup visa probe

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Old Tafo and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has declined an invitation from President John Dramani Mahama to participate in an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding the acquisition of visas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to the NPP MP, he has reservations about the credibility and independence of the committee established by the President.

He has argued that an independent commission of inquiry would be a more appropriate body to investigate the matter.

The NPP legislator revealed that the invitation was delivered to him through presidential advisers.

However, he said he had decided not to honour it because he believed the President's involvement in the investigative process could create a conflict of interest, particularly if government ministers were among those under investigation.

"I have respectfully boycotted that invitation. I did so on principle. The President cannot be seen to be investigating his own ministers. You cannot be a judge in your own cause," myjoyonline.com quoted him to have said during a press conference on November 5, 2026.

The MP also questioned the committee's transparency, arguing that the public had not been given access to information about its composition, mandate or proceedings.

He expressed concern that the identities of the committee members and its terms of reference had not been disclosed, while its sittings were being conducted behind closed doors.

Assafuah further disclosed that he had petitioned both the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the President, calling for the establishment of an independent commission to investigate the alleged visa acquisition and fundraising irregularities.

He maintained that such an investigative body must be sufficiently independent and operate openly to ensure public confidence in its findings.

According to him, the commission should have the authority to compel individuals to produce relevant evidence, make its findings public and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable.

"What Ghana needs is not a secret in-house cover-up committee. What Ghana needs is a public, transparent, independent commission of inquiry with powers to subpoena, to publish evidence and to hold persons accountable openly," he added.

AM

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