*WORLD CUP VISA SCANDAL: GTA Reportedly Charged Non-Staff $7k-$14k For Visas, Two Operatives Named Minority Demands Answers*

Fresh allegations have emerged in the ongoing 2026 World Cup visa scandal, with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) accused of processing individuals who were not staff of the Authority under visa allocations meant for official World Cup-related activities.

Speaking at a press conference the Member of parliament for Tafo Pankrono Mr Vincent Assafuah investigating the matter says its findings raise serious accountability questions for the GTA and its Chief Executive Officer.

"Our investigation also raises questions concerning allegations that individuals who were not GTA staff were being offered or processed under these arrangements at fees reportedly ranging from seven thousand USD to fourteen thousand USD per person," he revealed.

"If these allegations are accurate, the CEO of the GTA must explain to taxpayers why individuals outside the Ghana Tourism Authority were allegedly being processed or offered access to visa opportunities associated with allocations intended for the Authority's World Cup-related activities."

The Minority is demanding to know what report was produced following the preparatory work undertaken with Tribe Culture Fest, and what amount, if any, remains outstanding.

According to him, the investigators, all the reports following the preparatory works are available and will be made available to the media for scrutiny.

At the centre of the new revelations are two individuals identified only as Chase and Diesel, who were allegedly engaged to oversee visa processing activities involving the United States and Canadian allocations.

"There are also questions surrounding two individuals identified to us as Chase and Diesel who were allegedly engaged to oversee visa processing activities involving the United States and Canadian allocations," he said.

"The public deserves clarity on who these individuals are, who engaged them, the authority under which they operated and what role they played in the processing of applicants."

Mr Assafuah added that, investigation further points to allegations that the entire visa processing operation was established out of or around the National Sports Authority (NSA), with the involvement of persons connected to the Ghana Tourism Authority.

"Our investigations further points to allegations that the visa processing operation was established out or around the NSA, with the involvement of persons connected to the Ghana Tourism Authority. 

These allegations require independent verification and if established, raise questions about the use of public institutional structures for visa processing activities."

The Minority stressed that once a public institution becomes involved in an arrangement involving official travel, visa facilitation and World Cup-related activities, accountability cannot be confined to the private entity.

"The issue therefore goes beyond the GTA's relationship with Tribe. The GTA is a public institution and its officials and leadership must be able to account for the decisions taken, the resources committed, the persons processed and the manner in which the arrangements were administered."

In addition twist, the minority says it has uncovered a petition reportedly submitted by the directors of the GTA themselves to the CEO, raising concerns about accountability including matters relating to the World Cup visa arrangements.

"Our investigations also point to a petition reportedly submitted by the directors of the GTA to the CEO, which I have copies of, also raising concerns about accountability including matters relating to the World Cup visa arrangements," it disclosed.

"The contents of that petition, the response to it and any action subsequently taken are matters that deserve scrutiny."

The Ghanaian public deserves clear answers backed by documents, not speculation:

They asked, who authorised the GTA's engagement with Tribe Culture Fest?

What was the legal and contractual basis for the arrangements?

On what basis were fees reportedly ranging from $7,000 to $14,000 allegedly charged?

What roles did Chase and Diesel play and who engaged them?

What action was taken on the petition reportedly submitted by GTA directors?

"The Ghanaian public therefore deserves clear answers. These are matters that require documentary answers rather than speculation," the group said, adding that all reports and documents in its possession will be released to the media.