Sports News of 2026-10-15
Total disgrace! – What prominent personalities have said about visa scandal
Some prominent personalities in the country have asserted that the 2026 FIFA World Cup visa scandal is a huge disgrace to the country in terms of global appeal and reputation.
The comments come amid growing scrutiny of alleged visa facilitation arrangements involving the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the National Sports Authority (NSA).
The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns over the arrangements, including allegations that some applicants were charged between US$7,000 and US$14,000 for visa assistance.
How a report to President Mahama led to Ampofo Ankrah’s suspension
President John Dramani Mahama has directed Yaw Ampofo Ankrah to step aside as Director-General of the NSA while police investigate the allegations.
This article details comments made by some renowned personalities concerning the World Cup visa scandal.
Franklin Cudjoe
The President of IMANI-Africa in a post on X, Franklin Cudjoe commended the Old Tafo Member of Parliament, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, for bringing further details about the issue to the public's attention, describing it as a matter of national concern.
"Regarding the grave matters from the recently held World Cup, Parliament must investigate the matter, while investigative authorities do their part. We must end the waste and chicanery! Kudos to Hon. Vincent," he wrote.
Rashid Tanko-Computer
The Deputy Director of Elections and IT of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) questioned the mentality of the victims involved.
"But you see, our brothers in NPP, I always look at them and say, when you are doing propaganda, sometimes you watch the figures. You know what $15,000 is? You have $15,000, and you're going to give it to somebody as a bribe to go to the US. Then you go and give it to somebody and say, 'Help me get a visa to go to the US.' To do what?'
"You know what $15,000 can do in Ghana currently with the business landscape? We have sanitised the economy; we have brought down inflation and the dollar rate; we have brought it down. Now we are going into BRICS. You can do business without prejudice
Andy Dosty
The media practitioner denied his involvement in the scandal as claimed by the Minority, insisting that his visa for the 2026 World Cup period was not facilitated by the GTA. He said he paid his own visa fees and booked an appointment himself.
"...Walas, if it were GTA, NSA, or Tribe, how come I paid for my own visa fee, booked a date? I have got receipts of paying the guy, Nana B, my friend. What has that got to do with me? What is happening? This is really worrying me; I don't like that. I am in touch with my lawyer to see the way forward, because we all don't understand," he said in an interview with Asempa FM.
Senyo Hosi
The economic analyst described the situation as an embarrassment and called for a probe.
“It is a big disgrace, we are laughing stock.... The core matter here is that people have leveraged public office to facilitate fraud. People have been defrauded, citizens’ money has been collected, and the investigation is ongoing. That is the conversation we should have.
“I'm begging you in the name of God, John Mahama. If you don't deal with this thing to the latter, I'm telling you it will be a total disgrace to your presidency," he said.
Ekow Asmah
Sports broadcaster Ekow Asmah rejected claims that Sports Minister Kofi Adams added names to a list for the visa, as claimed.
"The list that the NSA sent to the Ministry does not include any of the four, which is contrary to what Assafuah has said," Asmah stated.
He alleged that Assafuah presented the documents in a manner that suggested the four names had been attached to the original list of 90, adding that the minister had considered them as part of that list.
"It's deceptive. It's totally deceptive because the four is totally different from the 90. And the four, I've checked thoroughly. There's nobody on the four who's in the 90."
SB/JKB
BoG’s Plan for Ghana’s Digital Payments Revealed – Clarence Blay Explains
