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2026-10-09 10:04 UTC → 2026-10-09 20:05 UTC ·
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Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Ghana, has positioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a primary challenger to the Mahama government, pledging to use parliamentary processes to demand accountability. His criticisms have included allegations of selective justice regarding the attempted arrest of MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah and concerns over the regulatory structure The Ghanaian opposition's scrutiny of the Ghana Gold Board. Opposition scrutiny Mahama government has recently intensified due to following a visa facilitation scandal involving linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Minority in Parliament is demanding the dismissal and prosecution of Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams and Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto. Investigations suggest controversy centers on allegations that approximately $623,000 was collected in visa facilitation fees, through irregular arrangements, with some individuals allegedly reportedly paying between $7,000 and $14,000 to secure travel slots to the United States, Canada, and Mexico by posing as official staff. While President John Mahama has suspended National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah pending investigation, Mr. Ankrah’s legal team has stated he will defer appearances before Parliament to avoid prejudicing the ongoing a Criminal Investigations Department (CID) probe. In response to probe, the allegations, a spokesperson for Minister Adams Ministry of Sports and Recreation has denied the claims, stating the ministry has no relationship with private travel operators and direct involvement in selecting applicants. The Ministry stated that the minister has gained no financial benefit a list of 90 names originated from the process. Ranking Member NSA, which categorized the individuals as ‘NSA Volunteers/Event Coordinators.’ The Ministry maintains it merely forwarded the request through established channels after receiving it on May 25. However, opposition figures, including Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah and other opposition figures have called for full legal accountability. Additionally, questions Assafuah, have been raised regarding challenged this defense. Assafuah argued that the role of Sports Ministry had a private entity, TRIBE Culture Fest, duty to perform due diligence to verify the identities and employment status of applicants before submission. He cautioned Minister Kofi Adams against shifting blame to Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, alleging that individuals who were not employees of the NSA or the Ghana Tourism Authority were presented as staff to diplomatic missions. The Minority in these travel arrangements. Parliament continues to demand the dismissal and prosecution of Minister Adams and Ghana Tourism Authority CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Youth and Sports Committee Chairman Ernest Norgbey has urged politicians to avoid interfering with the CID probe, warning warned that political pressure could transform must not interfere with the investigation CID investigation, lest it be transformed into ‘propaganda’.