The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assifuah, has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to establish a Presidential Commission of Inquiry into issues surrounding Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including visa facilitation, the allocation of opportunities and the use of sponsorship proceeds.
The petition asks the President to set up the commission under Article 278(1)(a) of the 1992 Constitution to investigate the matters outlined in the document.
It also asks the President to approve comprehensive terms of reference covering the management, financing, visa facilitation arrangements, allocation of opportunities, official certifications and institutional accountability associated with Ghana’s 2026 World Cup activities.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP wants the inquiry to include the roles of the National Sports Authority (NSA), the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Ministry responsible for Sports and Recreation, and the Ministry responsible for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
It should also cover GHATOF, TRIBE Culture Fest and any other persons or entities whose involvement may be established.
A section of the petition asks that the inquiry expressly extend to the Minister responsible for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and the Ministry’s oversight relationship with the GTA.
The petition notes that the GTA operates within the tourism sector overseen by the Ministry.
It cites the Tourism Act, 2011 (Act 817), which establishes the Authority and prescribes its functions and governance arrangements. Sections 19 and 20 of the Act address the Authority’s accounts, audit and annual reporting obligations, while section 13(1) provides for the Chief Executive’s responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the Authority and accountability to its Board.
The petitioner acknowledged the distinction between ministerial oversight and the operational responsibilities of the GTA’s Board and management, and said he does not suggest the Minister is automatically responsible for every decision taken by the Authority. .
However, he argued that the Authority’s institutional relationship with the Ministry makes it necessary to establish the extent to which oversight responsibilities were exercised in relation to the 2026 World Cup arrangements.
The petition also referred to a reported development in July 2026, when fourteen Regional Directors of the GTA petitioned the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer for information on the allocation of 400 World Cup-related slots and the utilisation of sponsorship proceeds.
According to the petitioner, the reported development raises questions about transparency, internal accountability and access to information within the Authority.
It also makes it necessary to establish whether the concerns raised by the Regional Directors were brought to the attention of the Ministry or the Minister, and what response, if any, followed.
Mr Ekow Assifuah asked that the Commission investigates:
The extent of the Minister’s and the Ministry’s knowledge of, involvement in or oversight of the relevant World Cup arrangements.
Whether the Ministry received reports, complaints or requests for clarification concerning the allocation of opportunities or the use of sponsorship proceeds.
Whether the Ministry sought information from the GTA and, where necessary, required explanations or corrective action.
Whether the relevant reporting, audit and accountability arrangements under the Tourism Act were observed.
Among other requests, the petitioner asked the President to ensure that the Commission is appropriately constituted, independent, adequately resourced and empowered to obtain relevant documents and examine witnesses in accordance with the Constitution and applicable law.
He also asked that relevant public institutions preserve and produce records reasonably required for the inquiry, subject to applicable law.
The petition further urged that the Commission be required to identify any institutional failures, financial irregularities or individual misconduct established by the evidence and recommend appropriate action.
Any evidence warranting further criminal investigation, it said, should be referred to the appropriate investigative or prosecutorial authority.
The petitioner also asked that the Commission’s report and the Government’s response be dealt with in accordance with the constitutional requirements governing Commissions of Inquiry.
Where appropriate, the petition added, the President should consider the alternative constitutional routes under Article 278(1)(b) and Article 278(1)(c), which involve advice from the Council of State or a resolution of Parliament requesting an inquiry into a matter of public importance.
Dzamefe Commission precedent
In his conclusion, the lawmaker said Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup should provide an opportunity to demonstrate effective administration, institutional coordination and responsible management of the opportunities associated with a major international sporting event.
“Where questions arise concerning the allocation of opportunities, the verification of beneficiaries, the handling of payments, the use of sponsorship proceeds and the discharge of public responsibilities, the public is entitled to expect credible answers grounded in evidence,” the petition stated.
It noted that the Dzamefe Commission demonstrated that Ghana’s participation in a World Cup can raise matters of public importance requiring examination beyond the performance of the national team itself, and argued that the present concerns similarly warrant scrutiny of the public institutions and private arrangements involved in the 2026 tournament.