Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams says the United States Embassy introduced events firm Tribe Culture Fest to the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), as the 2026 World Cup visa scandal deepens. Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues on Sunday, October 11, he also accused the company’s CEO of illegally taking about US$611,000, a claim the CEO has denied.
The minister said the introduction happened at a meeting at the US Embassy, not through any arrangement started by his ministry. He added that the NSA did not tell the ministry about any agreement it reached with the Embassy on visa acquisition.
His comments come as the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service investigates the visa allegations. Former NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah was suspended and later dismissed over the matter.
On Monday, October 12, Tribe Culture Fest CEO Nana Boateng Gyimah issued a statement rejecting the minister’s claims and demanding evidence.
Kofi Adams: US Embassy introduced Tribe Culture Fest to NSA and GTA
“Tribe Fest Culture, I’m told, was introduced to the National Sports Authority and the Ghana Tourism Authority by the American Embassy,” Mr Adams said.
He said the Embassy has “every right to question” whether anyone at the NSA or GTA misused that introduction. Tribe Culture Fest was to carry out “activations”, a term he said those involved should explain.
He acknowledged the NSA had engaged the US Embassy, but said those discussions were not necessarily about visas.
The US Embassy’s “16 by 16” World Cup plan
According to the minister, the Embassy planned 16 World Cup events, one in each region, under a concept called “16 by 16”.
- Main hubs: Kumasi (Ashanti), Tamale (Northern) and Cape Coast (Central)
- Viewing points on selected match days
- NSA facilities to be used for the events
- Tribe Culture Fest to run the activations
NSA letter sought visa support for 90 “volunteers”
Mr Adams said his ministry first learned on May 19, 2026, that some activations would take place in the United States. That came through a letter from the then NSA Director-General requesting visa support for “volunteers and event coordinators”.
“There was a list attached which was 90 volunteers,” he said. The ministry has said forwarding the request did not mean it selected applicants or guaranteed visa approvals.
He rejected claims that people on the list were misrepresented as NSA staff or board members. “No such information exists anywhere,” he said.
World Cup visa figures: 1,023 applications, 441 approved
The minister gave these figures on the wider visa process, as reported by GhanaWeb:
- Applications processed: about 1,023 (across categories including A and B1/B2)
- Visas granted: 441
- NSA’s visa support list: 90 names
- Individuals queried by the US Embassy: 4 (from an earlier NSA submission dated March 18, 2026)
Mr Adams said the four people the Embassy queried were presented as NSA staff, but the NSA Director-General confirmed they were not employees. He said they were not on the 90-person list. He added that NSA and GTA staff on official business would need diplomatic visas, while Ghana Football Association travellers would need B1/B2 visitor visas. Details of US visa categories are available on the US Embassy in Ghana visa page.
Tribe Culture Fest CEO denies US$611,000 allegation
Mr Adams claimed the Tribe Culture Fest CEO took about US$611,000 meant to transport Ghanaians to the World Cup and was pushing narratives to avoid a refund. “He cannot run away with $611,000 of people’s money,” he said.
In his October 12 statement, Nana Boateng Gyimah said: “I categorically deny the allegations attributed to the Minister for Sports, Hon. Kofi Adams.”
He said Tribe Culture’s only agreements were with the NSA and GTA. He asked the minister to provide payment records and explain how the US$611,000 figure was calculated. “I call on the Minister to substantiate his allegations or withdraw them,” he said, adding that his lawyers would otherwise handle the matter.
What it means for the visa scandal probe
The minister’s account shifts attention to how the NSA and GTA dealt with the Embassy and Tribe Culture Fest. It also raises fresh questions about money tied to World Cup travel.
The Minority in Parliament wants a broader investigation covering the Sports Ministry, NSA, GTA and Tribe Culture Fest. NPP communicator Kingsley Ofosu Ntiamoah has called on the minister and the GTA chief executive to step aside during the probe. GhanaTrends earlier reported on Ampofo Ankrah’s lawyer’s response to the CID probe.
What happens next
The CID investigation is ongoing. Investigators are expected to establish how the arrangements were made and whether any laws or procedures were breached.
The dispute over the US$611,000 could also move to the courts if the CEO follows through on his legal threat. No link between the alleged payments and the visa arrangements has been independently established.
Key details at a glance
- Kofi Adams says the US Embassy introduced Tribe Culture Fest to the NSA and GTA.
- He says the NSA did not inform the ministry of any visa deal with the Embassy.
- The NSA requested visa support for 90 “volunteers and event coordinators” in a May 2026 letter.
- About 1,023 visa applications were processed and 441 granted.
- The minister alleges the Tribe Culture Fest CEO took about US$611,000.
- CEO Nana Boateng Gyimah denies the claim and threatens legal action.
- The CID is investigating; the Minority wants a wider probe.
FAQs
What is the Ghana World Cup visa scandal about?
It involves allegations around visa support arranged through the National Sports Authority for people travelling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US. The CID is investigating, and former NSA boss Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has been dismissed.
Who introduced Tribe Culture Fest to the NSA?
Sports Minister Kofi Adams says the US Embassy introduced Tribe Culture Fest to the NSA and GTA at a meeting at the Embassy.
Did Tribe Culture Fest receive US$611,000?
Kofi Adams alleges the company’s CEO took about US$611,000, but CEO Nana Boateng Gyimah denies it and has demanded evidence. The claim has not been independently verified.
The World Cup visa scandal has taken a new turn, with Kofi Adams pointing to the US Embassy’s role in bringing Tribe Culture Fest to the NSA and GTA, and Tribe Culture Fest’s CEO firmly rejecting the US$611,000 allegation. With the CID probe ongoing and calls for a wider investigation growing, more answers are expected in the coming days.
