Sports Ministry hits back over 2026 FIFA World Cup visa scandal

[caption id="attachment_1330532" align="alignnone" width="830"] Sports Minister Kofi Adams[/caption]The Sports Ministry has fired back at claims linking his Ministry to alleged fraud in Ghanas 2026 FIFA World Cup visa facilitation process.The state agency insists there is no evidence the minister Kofi Adams collected money from prospective travellers or profited from the controversial arrangements.In a statement aimed at setting the record straight, the Ministry said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was already investigating aspects of the affair and pledged their full cooperation.The scandal centres on allegations involving the National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), TRIBE Culture Fest and individuals accused of collecting money from people hoping to travel to the World Cup.But the Ministrysays the documentary trail tells a different story from the claims made by MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah.They insist the NSA originated a request on May 19, 2026, seeking visa facilitation consideration for 90 volunteers and event coordinators.The Ministry received the request on May 25 and forwarded it on May 28, acting on behalf of the NSA, according to the statement.They also disputed claims linking four applicants whose visa applications required further documentation in March to the later 90-name list.According to them, the four applicants were not included on that list and challenged Assafuah to produce an alleged March 19 letter said to have been sent to the Ministry.The Ministry further stressed that the US Embassy retained full authority to vet applicants, conduct interviews and approve or refuse visas.But the controversy has left questions hanging over claims that some Ghanaians paid substantial sums for World Cup-related travel services.The Ministry acknowledged reports of financial losses and urged affected applicants to hand over receipts, bank statements, mobile money records and messages to investigators.They would also reconcile its World Cup visa records to establish which institutions submitted names, how applications were transmitted and whether any Ministry official received money.He has called for anyone found to have collected money unlawfully or supplied false information to face the consequences.Follow the money. Follow the documents. Follow the signatures, the Ministry declared.The CID investigation is ongoing, and the allegations have not been established as proven wrongdoing.