Ghana Tourism Authority denies collecting money for World Cup visas

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has denied collecting money from applicants in exchange for visas or visa opportunities linked to its tourism promotion activities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Maame Efua Houadjeto, also denied soliciting, receiving or authorising payments to secure visas, insisting that the GTA’s role was limited to facilitating applications for selected participants.

In a statement issued on Friday, 9 October, in response to allegations by the Minority caucus in Parliament, the GTA said the initiative was designed to showcase Ghana’s tourism, culture, music, fashion, crafts and creative industries to international audiences during the tournament.

The Authority said the programme was presented to and approved by its board, with participants drawn from various sectors, including cultural troupes, musicians, exhibitors, media practitioners, tourism industry representatives, GTA staff and heads of related agencies.

“The initiative was presented to and approved by the Board of the Authority,” the statement said.

The GTA explained that it engaged the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission for guidance on visa requirements and application procedures for those selected to participate in the initiative.

However, it stressed that it had no authority to issue visas, guarantee approvals or influence decisions made by diplomatic and immigration authorities.

“The Authority’s role was limited to identifying relevant participating groups, facilitating appropriate institutional introductions and providing guidance on the application process,” it said.

“At no point did GTA possess the authority to issue visas, guarantee visa approvals or determine the outcomes of individual applications.”

The statement comes amid scrutiny over the selection of participants for activities associated with Ghana’s tourism promotion during the 2026 World Cup, with the Minority caucus raising concerns about the initiative.

The GTA also defended the inclusion of bloggers, social media influencers, digital content creators, photographers and videographers, arguing that modern tourism promotion extends beyond traditional journalism and established media organisations.

It said participants should be assessed according to their intended promotional roles and responsibilities rather than solely on the type of media platform through which they operate.

Houadjeto maintained that her involvement in the initiative was part of her official responsibilities and was intended to advance the Authority’s tourism promotion mandate.

The GTA said it remained committed to public accountability and urged the public to assess the allegations based on verified facts, institutional records and a clear understanding of the responsibilities of the parties involved.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, presents an opportunity for participating countries to promote their tourism destinations, cultural heritage and creative industries to a global audience.