The Minority in Parliament has called for the immediate dismissal of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) CEO Maame Afua Houadjeto over alleged irregularities surrounding visa arrangements for Ghanaian travellers ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, October 7, Ranking Member on the Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, said the GTA’s role must be investigated alongside the National Sports Authority (NSA), the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the private entity TRIBE Culture Fest.
His call follows the dismissal of NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah over the controversy.
“The dismissal of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah does not, by itself, resolve the issues before us,” he said. “Accountability can not and does end with one individual.”
Mr. Assafuah alleged that the GTA had an arrangement with TRIBE to facilitate visa processing and accommodation for persons travelling to the United States and Canada, with visa-related costs of about US$3,000 per person for the US and US$2,000 for Canada.
He also questioned reported visa allocations to the GTA, claiming the US Embassy allocated 400 slots and the Canadian Embassy 600.
“Our records indicate that the CEO of the GTA, Maame Afua Houadjeto, was allocated 400 visa slots by the United States Embassy and 600 by the Canadian Embassy If these allocations are accurate, the public is entitled to know how many visas were ultimately issued, how many applications were rejected, and how the allocated slots were utilised.”
He further alleged that the GTA submitted 50 names to the US Embassy as media personnel, but only two were identified during verification as media practitioners.
“Of the 50 names submitted, only two persons; Philip Narh and Andy Dosty, both associated with Multimedia, were identified as media practitioners.”
Mr. Assafuah called for a full investigation into the arrangements, including who authorised the GTA’s engagement with TRIBE and who approved related expenditure.
“We are calling for the GTA boss to be sacked immediately,” he said.
He added, “Dismissal is not prosecution. Removal from office is not accountability for criminal conduct. Where there is evidence of a crime, the appropriate law-enforcement and prosecutorial authorities must pursue the matter.”
