Assafuah petitions OSP to investigate alleged 2026 World Cup visa irregularities

Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to investigate alleged corruption and financial irregularities surrounding visa facilitation arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In the petition dated October 15, the Ranking Member on Youth and Sports Committe in Parliament called for an independent investigation into the roles of the National Sports Authority (NSA), the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, TRIBE Culture Fest, the Ghana Tourism Federation and any other individuals or entities whose involvement may be established.

He is asking the OSP to determine whether the arrangements raise reasonable grounds for investigating suspected corruption, corruption-related offences, financial irregularities or possible abuse of public office.

Mr Assafuah cited provisions of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), which empower the Office to investigate and prosecute suspected corruption and related offences, recover proceeds of corruption, and investigate 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 stated in the petition.

He said the circumstances surrounding the visa facilitation arrangements were serious enough to warrant the attention of the anti-corruption institution.

The petition comes amid growing scrutiny of arrangements involving the Sports Ministry, National Sports Authority, the Ghana Tourism Authority and TRIBE Culture Fest in connection with visa and travel assistance for the 2026 World Cup.

Mr Assafuah is seeking an assessment of the available documents and financial records to establish whether any conduct falls within the OSP’s jurisdiction and warrants further action 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." his petition noted.

The Old Tafo MP explained that he submitted the petition because he considers the issues raised to be matters of significant public interest requiring 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 stressed.

Read full petition below.