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 (CEO), Maame Efua Houadjeto, also denied soliciting, receiving or authorising payments to secure visas, saying the GTA’s role was limited to facilitating applications for selected participants.
In a statement on Friday, October 9, responding 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 World Cup.
“The initiative was presented to and approved by the Board of the Authority. The program involved several categories of participants, including cultural troupes, musicians, exhibitors, media practitioners, tourism industry representatives, staff of the Authority and heads of related agencies.”
The GTA said it engaged the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission for guidance on visa requirements and application procedures. However, it stressed that it had no authority to issue visas, guarantee approvals or influence decisions, which rested solely with the relevant 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. At no point did GTA possess the authority to issue visas, guarantee visa approvals or determine the outcomes of individual applications.”
The statement also defended the inclusion of bloggers, social media influencers, digital content creators, photographers and videographers, arguing that tourism promotion extends beyond traditional journalism and established media organisations.
It said participants should be assessed based on their intended promotional roles and responsibilities. Maame Efua Houadjeto maintained that her involvement in the initiative was part of her official duties and aimed at advancing the GTA’s tourism promotion mandate.
The Authority said it remained committed to public accountability and urged the public to assess the allegations using verified facts, institutional records and a clear understanding of the responsibilities of the parties involved.
