What Ghana’s Watchdogs Can Do on World Cup Visa Claims
NEXT STEPS · GHANA
Key Facts
- —The country Ghana, in West Africa, is a presidential democracy where the President appoints ministers and most of them also sit in Parliament.
- —Why it matters Ghana’s watchdogs face a test over claims that applicants paid for World Cup visa help through state bodies.
- —Why now On Thursday 15 October an opposition MP petitioned two anti-corruption bodies, and the main opposition party asked Parliament to summon the Sports Minister.
- —What happened Police are already investigating, the head of the National Sports Authority was asked to step aside, and the minister denies wrongdoing.
- —The numbers The minister puts the sum at the centre of the claims at US$623,000, while the Minority alleges individual payments of US$7,000 to US$14,000.
- —What it means for US readers The US government alone decides US visas, and no change to visa rules for Ghanaians is known.
- —Still open Whether the committee, CHRAJ or the OSP open formal inquiries, how long they take, and whether any charge or refund follows.
A Ghana Parliament CHRAJ OSP World Cup visa investigation is now being sought, while police already investigate alleged visa-fee payments. This guide sets out what each body can do, how far its powers reach and what it means for people who paid.
On Thursday 15 October, the opposition MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The same day the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ghana’s main opposition party, asked Parliament to summon Sports Minister Kofi Adams and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) chief executive.
Ghana Parliament CHRAJ OSP World Cup Visa Investigation: Where Things Stand
The claims remain allegations, and nobody has been charged. Mr Adams puts the sum at the centre of the case at US$623,000, while the chief executive of the private events firm TRIBE Culture Fest denies that the firm received the money alleged.
The Minority in Parliament alleges that individual applicants paid between US$7,000 and US$14,000 for US and Canadian visa help. Mr Adams denies wrongdoing and says any payments were made by private individuals without the government’s knowledge.
President John Dramani Mahama asked Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), to step aside while police investigate. Mr Ampofo Ankrah says through his lawyer that he will not appear before Parliament until the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) finishes.
What Parliament Can Do
Under Article 103 of the Constitution, parliamentary committees may investigate and inquire into the activities and administration of ministries. A committee also holds the powers of a High Court judge at trial to enforce the attendance of witnesses and compel documents.
Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, chaired by Ernest Norgbey, has asked Mr Adams for documents, which he promised to provide, MyJoyOnline reported on 7 October. MyNewsGh reported on 14 October that the committee had summoned him, that the papers had not arrived and that Mr Norgbey expected to revisit the matter by the end of that week or the following week.
Mr Norgbey says Parliament is wary of a parallel probe because the CID is investigating and politics could taint the case. He has also called it premature to demand the minister’s removal while that inquiry runs.
Only the President can revoke a minister’s appointment, under Article 81 of the Constitution, so removal calls are addressed to him. Parliament can pass a vote of censure under Article 82, but only with the votes of two-thirds of all its members.
A censure motion needs seven days’ notice signed by one-third of members and must be debated within 14 days of reaching the Speaker. If it passes, the President may revoke the appointment unless the minister resigns.
What CHRAJ Can Do
Article 218 lets CHRAJ investigate corruption, abuse of power and unfair treatment by public officers, and suspected misappropriation of public money by officials. Mr Assafuah’s petition cites Article 218(a) and (e) and section 7(1)(a), (e) and (f) of the CHRAJ Act, 1993 (Act 456).
Under Article 219 the Commission can issue subpoenas for people and documents and have anyone who defies them prosecuted. It may not investigate a matter that is pending before a court.
CHRAJ can report its findings to the Attorney-General and the Auditor-General, and it says it can take legal action to enforce its recommendations. A written complaint must be authenticated under Regulation 1(3)(c) of its 2010 investigation procedure regulations, according to the commission’s complaint form.
The petition asks CHRAJ to examine how beneficiaries were chosen and verified, who approved the lists and how payments were handled. Mr Assafuah wrote that he does not ask the Commission to treat allegations as established findings.
What the OSP Can Do
The OSP investigates and prosecutes suspected corruption in the public and private sectors under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959). It says it acts on referrals from Parliament, CHRAJ and other public bodies, and on complaints from individuals.
Mr Assafuah asks the OSP to examine contracts, beneficiary lists, receipts, bank records and official correspondence. The Special Prosecutor is Kissi Agyebeng.
On 29 July 2026 the Supreme Court upheld the OSP Act but held that the Attorney-General can discontinue any prosecution the OSP starts. All earlier OSP prosecutions, convictions and freezing orders remain valid.
Mr Adams and Mr Norgbey describe a CID inquiry, and Citi Newsroom reported on 1 October that the Bureau of National Investigations is also probing Mr Ampofo Ankrah. Mr Adams told Channel One TV on Tuesday 13 October that TRIBE Culture Fest and any government official found to be involved should be held liable.
What Happens to Fans and Applicants
Ghana’s World Cup trip is over, so the question for those who paid is refunds rather than travel. Mr Adams says people who paid but could not travel are entitled to their money back.
He says one person involved petitioned the CID, reporting that some refunds were made while others were refused despite meetings. The NPP wants applicants invited to come forward without fear and any money recovered returned to them.
CHRAJ takes written complaints through its website, and the OSP says it accepts complaints from individuals. No official refund scheme or court order has been reported.
Mr Adams told Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee in mid-September that US Embassy officials had asked Ghana to start preparing earlier for the 2028 Olympic Games. The reports reviewed do not say whether the inquiries will change how Ghana prepares.
What It Means for US Readers
Only US consular officers decide US visas, and the Minority says the embassy’s Fraud Prevention Unit queried four applicants linked to the NSA. The embassy’s own position was not found in the reports reviewed.
None of the reports reviewed shows any change to US visa rules for Ghanaians. Anyone approached by an agent promising a guaranteed US visa for a fee should check the embassy’s own guidance first.
What Is Not Known
No one has been charged, and the CID has published no findings. Mr Norgbey said on 7 October that he was not sure Mr Adams had been called before the CID.
It is not known whether the committee will hold public hearings, or whether CHRAJ and the OSP will accept the petitions. The reports reviewed show no public response from either body.
No timetable exists for any inquiry, and the sums, lists and dates cited come from the Minority, the petitions and Mr Adams. The Ghana Tourism Authority said on 9 October that it had not collected money from any applicant, and its chief executive denies involvement.
Our explainer Ghana World Cup Visa Fraud Allegations Explained sets out the allegations and denials. Our profile Sports Minister Kofi Adams Under Ghana Visa Pressure covers his career and defence.
For the wider political picture, see Ghana Politics Explained, Who Holds Power in 2026. The board of the National Sports Authority, central to the case, was among those dissolved in September, as set out in Ghana Sacks Nine State Boards Days After Profit Report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inquiries are being sought into the visa claims?
It is the set of inquiries sought over claims that people paid for World Cup visa help through state bodies. Police are investigating, and petitions to CHRAJ and the OSP were filed on 15 October.
Can Parliament force Kofi Adams to testify?
Under Article 103 a committee holds the powers of a High Court judge to enforce the attendance of witnesses. The Youth and Sports Committee has asked him for documents, and MyNewsGh reports that it has summoned him.
Can CHRAJ or the OSP charge anyone?
CHRAJ investigates and can report to the Attorney-General or go to court to enforce remedies. The OSP can prosecute, but the Supreme Court held on 29 July 2026 that the Attorney-General can discontinue its cases.
Can the Sports Minister be removed?
Only the President can revoke a minister’s appointment, under Article 81. Parliament can censure a minister with a two-thirds vote under Article 82, after which the President may act.
Will people who paid get refunds?
Mr Adams says those who paid but could not travel are entitled to refunds, and some were reportedly made. No official refund scheme has been reported.
Sources: 3News, full text of the CHRAJ petition (15 October 2026); Citi Newsroom, Assafuah petitions the OSP (15 October 2026); Citi Newsroom, Assafuah petitions CHRAJ (15 October 2026); Graphic Online, NPP demands a parliamentary inquiry (15 October 2026); Citi Newsroom, Kofi Adams on a parliamentary probe (15 October 2026); MyNewsGh, Norgbey on a parallel probe (14 October 2026); MyJoyOnline, Norgbey on removal calls (7 October 2026); Citi Sports Online, Ampofo Ankrah declines Parliament (8 October 2026); Citi Newsroom, Adams on TRIBE Culture Fest and refunds (13 October 2026); Citi Newsroom, Adams on visa overstays and the Youth and Sports Committee (18 September 2026); Graphic Online, Minority calls for removal (7 October 2026); Citi Newsroom, GTA denies collecting money (9 October 2026); Constitution of Ghana 1992 (rev. 1996), articles 81, 82, 103, 218 and 219; CHRAJ, anti-corruption mandate; CHRAJ, complaint form; Office of the Special Prosecutor, about us; Graphic Online, Supreme Court on the OSP Act (29 July 2026).
Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief · Editorial standards · Report an error