The Minority in Parliament has called for an independent investigation into the Ghana 2026 FIFA World Cup raffles, raising concerns over monies collected from participants, promised prizes and the handling of refunds for unsuccessful entrants.
The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, said an independent probe was necessary to establish accountability following the cancellation of the first raffle and concerns surrounding the second exercise.
He questioned reports that winners of the second raffle were instructed to submit their passports to a Malian WhatsApp number within 95 minutes or risk forfeiting their prizes.
Assafuah also raised concerns about the utilisation of 2,922 World Cup match tickets reportedly purchased with public funds.
He called on the Auditor-General to conduct a special audit of both the raffles and the World Cup Fund to establish how the resources were managed and ensure transparency.
However, the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has rejected allegations of financial misappropriation, insisting that no money generated from the raffle has been misused.
According to the Minister, participants in the first raffle were refunded after the exercise was cancelled.
He further disclosed that approximately 31 winners from the second raffle were processed for United States visas.
However, only five secured visas, while the others were either denied visas or given interview dates that fell outside the tournament period.
The Minister said alternative arrangements had been made for unsuccessful winners, including opportunities to attend future sporting competitions and financial compensation.
He maintained that all proceeds from the raffles remain untouched and are in the custody of the fundraising committee.
Adams added that the government is working towards compensating affected winners, following the difficulties encountered in securing visas for the tournament.
