Ghana’s Majority Leader, James Agalga, has assured the public that no government official found culpable in the alleged 2026 FIFA World Cup visa scandal will be protected, insisting that those responsible will face the consequences.
Agalga says President John Dramani Mahama remains committed to accountability as investigations into the controversy surrounding Ghana’s World Cup travel arrangements continue.
Speaking amid growing pressure from the Minority in Parliament, the Majority Leader maintained that anyone found to have engaged in wrongdoing would face appropriate sanctions, regardless of their position in government.
The scandal centres on allegations that more than US$600,000 was collected from prospective travellers seeking visa and travel assistance to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service is investigating the matter, which has raised questions about the involvement of officials and institutions connected to Ghana’s World Cup travel arrangements.
Responding to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s demand for Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams to appear before Parliament, Agalga insisted that the government would not interfere with the investigative process or shield anyone found responsible.
“Nobody is going to be shielded. Our president [John Mahama] has that track record because he’s the only president who allowed his own appointees to be prosecuted,” he said.
Agalga also drew a comparison with the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, criticising former President Nana Akufo-Addo over what he described as a lack of similar commitment to accountability.
“You remember in 2015, thereabouts? Yes. But after that, no president has ever [done that]. The former president [Nana Akufo-Addo] refused,” he added.
The controversy has already resulted in the suspension of National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah by President Mahama, pending the outcome of investigations.
The allegations have also brought the roles of the National Sports Authority, Ghana Tourism Authority and private entity TRIBE Culture Fest under scrutiny.
However, the institutions involved have disputed aspects of the allegations. The NSA has denied authorising any visa-related money collection arrangement, while the Ghana Tourism Authority has also denied collecting money in exchange for visa opportunities. The Sports Ministry has similarly rejected claims of wrongdoing.
The investigation is expected to establish how the alleged payments were collected, who was involved and whether any public officials abused their positions.
For now, Agalga says the government’s position is clear: anyone found culpable must be held accountable.
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