The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has dismissed allegations that it collected money from applicants in exchange for visas or visa opportunities connected to Ghana’s tourism promotion activities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Maame Efua Houadjeto, has also denied soliciting, receiving or authorising payments from individuals seeking assistance to obtain visas for the international football tournament.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 9, 2026, the GTA responded to allegations raised by the Minority caucus in Parliament, insisting that its involvement was limited to facilitating applications for selected participants.
According to the Authority, the initiative was designed to promote Ghana’s tourism industry, cultural heritage and creative economy to international audiences during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
GTA Explains Purpose of 2026 World Cup Tourism Initiative
The Ghana Tourism Authority said the programme received approval from its Board and was intended to showcase the country’s tourism attractions, music, fashion, crafts and other creative industries on the global stage.
The initiative involved several categories of participants, including cultural groups, musicians, exhibitors, media practitioners, tourism industry representatives, GTA staff and heads of related agencies.
The Authority explained that the programme formed part of its broader mandate to promote Ghana as an attractive international tourism destination and create greater global awareness of the country’s cultural and creative industries.
“The initiative was presented to and approved by the Board of the Authority. The program involved several categories of participants, including cultural troupes, musicians, exhibitors, media practitioners, tourism industry representatives, staff of the Authority and heads of related agencies,” the statement said.
Ghana Tourism Authority Says It Cannot Guarantee Visa Approvals
Addressing concerns about visa arrangements for the World Cup initiative, the GTA said it engaged the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission to obtain guidance on visa requirements and application procedures.
However, the Authority stressed that it had no legal authority to issue visas, guarantee approvals or influence decisions made by diplomatic missions and immigration authorities.
It explained that its responsibilities were restricted to identifying relevant participants, facilitating appropriate institutional introductions and providing guidance on the visa application process.
“At no point did GTA possess the authority to issue visas, guarantee visa approvals or determine the outcomes of individual applications,” the statement emphasised.
The Authority maintained that all visa decisions remained the responsibility of the relevant diplomatic and immigration authorities.
GTA Defends Selection of Bloggers and Social Media Influencers
The GTA also defended its decision to include bloggers, social media influencers, digital content creators, photographers and videographers in the tourism promotion initiative.
According to the Authority, modern tourism marketing goes beyond traditional journalism and established media organisations, with digital platforms playing an increasingly important role in reaching international audiences.
It argued that participants should be evaluated based on their intended promotional contributions, assigned responsibilities and capacity to showcase Ghana’s tourism potential to the world.
The inclusion of digital content creators was therefore presented as part of a broader strategy to expand Ghana’s international visibility through multiple communication channels.
Maame Efua Houadjeto Responds to Allegations
GTA Chief Executive Officer Maame Efua Houadjeto maintained that her involvement in the initiative was undertaken as part of her official responsibilities.
She said the programme was intended to advance the Authority’s tourism promotion mandate rather than provide a means of collecting money from applicants seeking visa opportunities.
The statement comes amid public scrutiny following allegations raised by the Minority caucus in Parliament regarding the initiative and its administration.
GTA Reaffirms Commitment to Transparency and Accountability
The Ghana Tourism Authority has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, public accountability and the responsible management of its tourism promotion activities.
The Authority urged the public to assess the allegations based on verified information, official institutional records and a clear understanding of the respective responsibilities of the organisations involved.
The controversy has drawn attention to Ghana’s international tourism promotion efforts ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as well as questions surrounding participant selection, visa facilitation and the role of public institutions in organising international promotional activities.
Source: newsthemegh.com