Wonder Sitsofe Mandel, spokesperson for the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, has rejected corruption allegations linked to Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup visa arrangements, insisting that the Minority’s 49-page statement contains no evidence connecting the minister or the ministry to illegal visa facilitation or financial misconduct.
Mr Mandel said there was no direct contract, commercial agreement or operational relationship between the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and private travel companies involved in World Cup-related arrangements, including TRIBE Culture Fest.
He further maintained that Minister Kofi Iddie Adams did not illegally facilitate visas and did not receive any financial benefit from the visa application process.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in response to the Minority’s allegations, Mr Mandel explained that Ghana’s World Cup travel arrangements were developed through a multi-agency framework aimed at improving oversight, preventing visa fraud and protecting Ghanaian supporters from unscrupulous travel operators.
According to him, a directive from the Presidency resulted in the formation of an inter-agency Oversight Committee involving representatives from the Ministries of Sports, Finance, Tourism and Foreign Affairs.
The committee, he said, worked with the United States Embassy to establish secure channels through which Ghanaians could submit applications for 2026 World Cup visas.
“Under a Presidential directive, an inter-agency Oversight Committee, comprising representatives from the Ministries of Sports, Finance, Tourism and Foreign Affairs, worked directly with the US Embassy to establish secure visa application channels,” Mr Mandel said.
Sports Minister Warned Ghanaians Against Visa Fraud
Mr Mandel also highlighted the minister’s public efforts to prevent World Cup visa scams and fraud ahead of the tournament.
He said Kofi Iddie Adams repeatedly used public speeches, official ministry statements and social media platforms to warn Ghanaians against making payments to unverified third-party agents promising to secure US visas.
“The minister actively led a public anti-fraud campaign using speeches, official ministry press releases and social media posts to warn citizens against paying third-party agencies for visas,” he stated.
The Sports Ministry spokesperson also disputed key details contained in the Minority’s account of a letter submitted by the National Sports Authority (NSA).
According to Mr Mandel, official records indicate that the NSA’s letter was received by the ministry on May 10, rather than March 19 as claimed by the Minority.
He explained that the correspondence requested administrative assistance for 90 volunteers and event operators associated with TRIBE Culture Fest, rather than four NSA employees as alleged.
Minister Did Not Approve World Cup Visas
Mr Mandel stressed that Minister Kofi Iddie Adams did not approve, recommend or guarantee visas for the individuals listed in the NSA request.
Instead, he said the minister referred the document to the Ministry’s Chief Director, who subsequently forwarded it to the US Embassy’s Technical Working Group for the necessary due diligence and assessment.
The spokesperson argued that submitting a request to the appropriate technical body for review should not be interpreted as an endorsement or approval of the visa applicants.
He added that the ministry maintained separate procedures for government officials and staff.
“To maintain strict administrative boundaries, genuine NSA and Ministry staff were processed through an entirely separate diplomatic channel,” Mr Mandel explained.
The Sports Ministry has therefore maintained that Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup visa process was designed with multiple layers of oversight and that allegations of corruption, illegal visa facilitation or financial misconduct involving the minister remain unsupported by the evidence presented by the Minority.
The controversy comes as Ghana prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, increasing public scrutiny of the country’s visa arrangements, travel procedures and measures to protect supporters from fraudulent visa agents and unscrupulous travel operators.
Source: newsthemegh.com