World Cup visa scandal: ‘No evidence links Kofi Adams to alleged scheme’ — Wonder Madilo

A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) communications team, Wonder Madilo, has defended Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams amid allegations of irregularities in Ghana’s visa arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Madilo’s comments come amid calls by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament for the dismissal of Mr Adams and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Afua Houadjeto, over alleged irregularities in visa arrangements for the tournament.

The Minority has alleged that the arrangements involved the National Sports Authority (NSA), the GTA, the Sports and Recreation Ministry and a private entity, TRIBE Culture Fest.

It has raised concerns about the presentation of names to foreign embassies, the verification of applicants’ institutional affiliations and payments allegedly collected from prospective travellers.

Reacting to this on Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show on Friday, October 9, Madilo has dismissed claims linking the minister to the alleged scheme, arguing that the refusal of visa applications does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing.

“There’s no evidence to link the minister to any of this. The minister was not involved in any of this,” he said.

Mr Madilo argued that visa applications can be refused without necessarily indicating that a crime has been committed.

He said he had accompanied people to embassies for visa applications, some of which were unsuccessful, and maintained that the process should not be used as the sole basis for implicating the minister.

He also challenged those who believe a crime had been committed to report the matter to the police.

“If Vincent thinks that a crime has been committed, he is a citizen of Ghana and has the right — in fact, it is his constitutional right — to go to the police,” Mr Madilo said.