Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama over what he describes as a secretive investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup visa acquisition process.
Ekow Assafuah disclosed that he had boycotted an invitation to appear before the committee established by the President, citing concerns about its independence, transparency and credibility.
The Old Tafo MP disclosed that his decision was based on concerns about the independence and credibility of the committee.
He argued that the matter should instead be investigated by an independent commission of inquiry.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, November 5, Vincent Assafuah disclosed that the invitation had been extended to him by the President through his presidential advisers.
However, he questioned the President’s involvement in the investigation, particularly because some of the persons who could be implicated in the alleged irregularities are ministers serving in his government.
He said, “I have respectfully boycotted that invitation. I did so on principle. The president cannot be seen to be investigating his own ministers. You cannot be a judge in your own case”.
Ekow Assafuah further criticised the committee’s lack of transparency, raising concerns over the failure to make its membership, terms of reference and proceedings public.
He argued that the absence of such information undermined public confidence in the investigation and raised questions about the committee’s mandate and operations.
“That committee is shrouded in complete opacity. Its terms of reference are not public, its members are unknown, and its sittings are held behind closed doors,” he said.
The Ranking Member disclosed that he had petitioned both the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the President, calling for the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged visa and fundraising irregularities.
According to Ekow Assafuah, the proposed commission should operate openly, have the authority to compel the production of relevant evidence and make its findings accessible to the public.
Ekow Assafuah maintained that a transparent and independent investigation was necessary to establish the facts and ensure accountability, rather than relying on what he considers an internally controlled process.
“What Ghana needs is not a secret in-house cover-up committee. What Ghana needs is a public, transparent, independent commission of inquiry with powers to subpoena, to publish evidence and to hold persons accountable openly,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sammi Awuku, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, has alleged that some regional executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were involved in the 2026 FIFA World Cup visa scandal.
According to Sammi Awuku, information he has gathered suggests government appointees tasked NDC regional executives with collecting money from individuals interested in travelling abroad during the World Cup.
Sammi Awuku further disclosed that the pressure had mounted on the regional executives following public disclosures about the alleged visa scandal.
Speaking in an interview with UTV, Sammi Awuku stated, “The NPP has about 35 of these NDC scandals, and they will be rolled out from now until the elections. In this month alone, haven’t we discussed two of them? The World Cup visa scandal. I can confidently tell you today that some NDC regional executives were the conduit the appointees used to collect money for this World Cup scandal”.
“We will mount a challenge to their reset agenda. I maintain that some of the NDC regional executives were involved. So when the pressure started, it was not the appointees who came under pressure first, but the regional executives who mobilised the funds”.
Sammi Awuku further stated, “This is not rocket science; if they want it, we will provide them with names and voice notes. On constituency platforms, it’s voice notes because not everyone is good at English to type”.
@ghnow_ Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah has raised serious allegations against the Ministry of Sports and the National Lottery Authority (NLA) over the World Cup Bonanza raffle draw. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah questions the motive behind using a Malian WhatsApp number to communicate with winners of the World Cup Bonanza raffle draw. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
