Minority demands GTA CEO’s dismissal over World Cup visa irregularities
Old Tafo Member of Parliament Vincent Ekow Assafuah has called for the removal of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) Chief Executive Officer Maame Afua Houadjeto over alleged problems with visa arrangements for Ghanaians who travelled to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mr. Assafuah wants the GTA’s involvement in the arrangements subjected to scrutiny. He said the investigation should also cover the National Sports Authority (NSA), the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and private company TRIBE Culture Fest.
The MP’s demand follows the removal of former NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah in connection with the controversy.
But Mr. Assafuah said the dismissal of one official was not enough to address the concerns surrounding the arrangements.
“The dismissal of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah does not, by itself, resolve the issues before us,” he said. “Accountability can not and does end with one individual.”
At the centre of Mr. Assafuah’s concerns is an alleged partnership between the GTA and TRIBE Culture Fest to assist travellers with visa processing and accommodation for trips to the United States and Canada.
He claimed travellers were charged about US$3,000 per person for the US visa arrangements and US$2,000 for Canada.
Questions have also been raised about the number of visa slots allegedly made available to the GTA.
Mr. Assafuah claimed the US Embassy allocated 400 slots, while the Canadian Embassy allocated 600 slots.
“Our records indicate that the CEO of the GTA, Maame Afua Houadjeto, was allocated 400 visa slots by the United States Embassy and 600 by the Canadian Embassy If these allocations are accurate, the public is entitled to know how many visas were ultimately issued, how many applications were rejected, and how the allocated slots were utilised.”
The MP also questioned the use of media credentials in the visa process.
He alleged that 50 names were submitted to the US Embassy as media personnel. However, he said only two of those individuals were identified as media practitioners during verification.
“Of the 50 names submitted, only two persons; Philip Narh and Andy Dosty, both associated with Multimedia, were identified as media practitioners.”
Mr. Assafuah said the investigation should establish who approved the GTA’s engagement with TRIBE and who authorised expenditure connected to the arrangement.
He subsequently called for the immediate removal of the GTA CEO.
“We are calling for the GTA boss to be sacked immediately,” he said.
The Old Tafo MP also distinguished between administrative action and criminal accountability.
“Dismissal is not prosecution. Removal from office is not accountability for criminal conduct. Where there is evidence of a crime, the appropriate law-enforcement and prosecutorial authorities must pursue the matter,” he added.
Mr. Assafuah’s call adds pressure for a broader examination of the visa arrangements involving Ghanaian travellers during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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