2026 World Cup: Tribe Culture CEO denies Sports Minister’s $611,000 allegation
Nana Boateng Gyimah, Chief Executive Officer of Tribe Culture Fest, has rejected claims by Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams that he allegedly received US$611,000 from people seeking visas for the 2026 World Cup.
In a statement issued on Monday, Mr Gyimah described the allegation as false and challenged the Minister to produce evidence to support the claim.
He said Tribe Culture Fest’s agreement was solely with the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), insisting that neither he nor the organisation received the alleged amount from any private individual.
“I categorically deny the allegations attributed to the Minister for Sports, Kofi Adams, that I or Tribe Culture Fest illegally received US$611,000 and avoided a refund,” the statement said.
Mr Gyimah called on the minister to provide documentation, including any agreement, authorisation or consent involving him or Tribe Culture Fest that established the alleged financial arrangement.
He also demanded verifiable payment records showing who paid the money, who received it, when the transaction was made and how the figure of US$611,000 was determined.
The Tribe Culture Fest CEO said his reputation and the integrity of the organisation should not be damaged by what he described as unsubstantiated public accusations.
He urged the minister to substantiate the allegations or withdraw them and correct the public record, warning that he would otherwise pursue legal action.
The Minister in a media interview alleged that Mr Gyimah had illegally received about US$611,000 and was promoting various narratives to avoid refunding the money.
Mr Adams further said authorities would take appropriate action if investigations established that individuals had been deceived in the transaction.
The allegations form part of broader public debate surrounding visa applications and travel arrangements linked to Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
