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Kofi Adams Rejects Calls For Removal Over Visa Scandal

World Cup visa scandal: Kofi Adams rejects calls for his removal. The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has dismissed calls for his removal over alleged irregularities in visa arrangements for Ghanaian supporters and officials ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that his Ministry was unaware of the process until a letter concerning event coordinators and volunteers was brought to his attention.

His response follows calls by the Minority in Parliament for his dismissal and prosecution over alleged involvement in the arrangements, which have come under scrutiny following the suspension of National Sports Authority Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah by President John Dramani Mahama.

Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday, October 7, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, alleged that some officials facilitated visa applications for people who were not employees of the Ministry. Mr Assafuah claimed that a cover letter had been prepared to present outsiders as Ministry staff to facilitate their visa applications. The Minority has also called for the dismissal and prosecution of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority over alleged involvement.

Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, October 13, Mr Adams said the National Sports Authority, the GTA, the United States Embassy and TRIBE Culture Fest had handled the arrangements without the Ministry’s knowledge. “Well, I don’t see the justification. Both the American Embassy and TRIBE Culture Fest, the NSA and the GTA were doing their thing behind the Ministry. The Ministry didn’t know,” he said.

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Mr Adams said the Ministry would have known about the arrangements if the parties involved had informed it, copied it in their correspondence or formally presented details. He identified a letter dated May 19 requesting that the Ministry forward the names of event coordinators and volunteers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy as the first time he became aware. “The first time I ever sat and had a conversation in relation to that matter was when the May 19 letter requested the forwarding of event coordinators and volunteers,” he said. He said the letter was forwarded to the Ministry’s Chief Director, who serves on the technical committee, and maintained that government money has not been lost.

According to Mr Adams, the committee had agreed that names of individuals expected to perform specific duties related to the World Cup should be submitted to allow preparatory processes to begin. He maintained his role was limited to forwarding the letter through appropriate channels and he had no knowledge of alleged financial transactions involving US$623,000. He also accused TRIBE Culture Fest of defrauding applicants and said they must be held liable.

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Author: Stella Sunu • Published on http://Howedey.com

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