Sports Minister warns Ghanaians fell for World Cup visa scams despite repeated cautions

Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has expressed frustration over Ghanaians who disregarded official warnings and paid money to intermediaries promising to secure visas for travel to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, despite the Ministry's repeated public cautions against such schemes.

Speaking to Channel One TV on Tuesday, October 13, Adams confirmed that although he had issued several public warnings before the tournament, evidence gathered afterwards showed that some citizens still handed over funds to individuals claiming to have connections with government officials or members of the World Cup oversight committee. The Minister emphasised that the Ministry never authorised anyone to collect money on its behalf to influence visa applications.

How the scams operated

According to Adams, fraudsters employed several tactics to deceive Ghanaians seeking to travel to the United States or Canada for the World Cup. Some presented themselves as personal friends of the Minister, whilst others claimed to have direct access to members of the national World Cup oversight committee. These individuals leveraged false claims of influence to convince prospective travellers that they could guarantee or expedite visa approvals.

The scheme appears to have been sophisticated enough that some alleged fraudsters even claimed to hold official government positions, lending false credibility to their offers. Victims were reportedly charged substantial sums in exchange for promised visa facilitation, with some paying between US$7,000 and US$14,000 according to concerns raised by the Minority in Parliament.

Adams urged Ghanaians to be cautious about such claims. He stressed that no individual, regardless of their purported connections, should be treated as a guarantee of visa approval. The Minister advised prospective travellers to only engage registered travel and tour companies that operate under clear procedures and formal contractual obligations.

Why it matters for Ghana

This incident highlights vulnerabilities in how official government information reaches ordinary Ghanaians, and how criminals exploit the desire to travel to major international events. The saga reflects a broader pattern of visa scams that disproportionately affect West African nations, where mistrust of official processes and reliance on personal networks sometimes make citizens susceptible to intermediaries.

The involvement of alleged officials from the Ghana Tourism Authority and the National Sports Authority has triggered parliamentary scrutiny and police investigation. President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, to step aside pending investigation into the allegations.

For future major international events hosted or promoted by Ghana, the saga underscores the need for stronger public education campaigns, clearer communication channels from government agencies, and stricter oversight of officials who interact with citizens seeking travel assistance. It also serves as a warning to Ghanaians engaging with visa services: legitimate processes have set procedures, transparent costs, and verifiable institutional backing.

Adams's message remains clear: no shortcuts exist in visa applications, and paying intermediaries—regardless of their claims—exposes citizens to financial loss and potential legal complications.