Member of Parliament for Old Tafo Vincent Ekow Assafuah has petitioned Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to investigate alleged corruption and financial irregularities linked to visa facilitation arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In the petition dated 15 October, Mr Assafuah, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, called for an independent inquiry into the involvement of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ministry of Sports and Recreation, TRIBE Culture Fest, Ghana Tourism Federation and any other individuals or organisations found to have played a role.
He has asked the OSP to establish whether the arrangements provide reasonable grounds to investigate suspected corruption, corruption-related offences, financial irregularities or the possible abuse of public office.
Mr Assafuah referred to the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), which gives the OSP powers to investigate and prosecute alleged corruption and related offences, recover proceeds of corruption and examine complaints involving possible corruption.
“I seek an independent determination of whether the conduct disclosed by the relevant documents and financial records gives rise to reasonable grounds for investigating any suspected corruption, possible corruption-related offences, financial irregularities and the potential misuse of public office,” he said in the petition.
He added that the circumstances surrounding the visa facilitation arrangements were serious enough to require the attention of Ghana’s anti-corruption institution.
The petition follows increasing scrutiny of arrangements involving the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, NSA, GTA and TRIBE Culture Fest over visa and travel assistance connected with the 2026 World Cup.
Mr Assafuah wants the OSP to review the available documents and financial records to determine whether any conduct falls within its jurisdiction and whether further action is justified under the law.
“I respectfully urge the Office to treat this petition with the seriousness it deserves and to take the appropriate steps to establish the financial trail, identify the persons responsible for the relevant decisions and determine whether any criminal offences have been committed,” the petition stated.
The Old Tafo MP said he had submitted the complaint because he regarded the issues as matters of significant public interest that required an independent investigation.
“The questions concern the exercise of public authority, the allocation of opportunities, the accuracy of official representations, the verification of beneficiaries and the handling of money in connection with a major international sporting event,” he added.
