The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, says the United States Embassy introduced TRIBE Culture Fest to the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) ahead of activities planned around the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mr Adams made the disclosure in an interview with TV3 on Sunday, October 11, while responding to questions about the private events organiser’s involvement in the ongoing visa controversy.
According to the minister, the introduction took place during a meeting at the US Embassy and was not initiated by his ministry.
“Tribe Fest Culture, I’m told, was introduced to the National Sports Authority and the Ghana Tourism Authority by the American Embassy. That is what my investigations told me,” he said.
His comments come amid growing scrutiny of arrangements involving TRIBE Culture Fest, the NSA and the GTA for activities connected to the World Cup in the United States.
The controversy has sparked questions about the submission of names to foreign embassies and the role of public institutions in facilitating travel for individuals seeking to participate in World Cup-related activities.
Mr Adams maintained that the NSA had not informed his ministry of any agreement it reached with the US Embassy concerning visa acquisition.
He also clarified that the NSA’s engagements with the embassy were not necessarily focused on securing visas, distinguishing those discussions from the ministry’s own efforts to establish procedures for coordinating travel arrangements.
The Sports Ministry has previously explained that its role included forwarding a request from the NSA seeking visa support for 90 individuals described as volunteers and event coordinators.
The ministry has stressed that forwarding the request did not mean it selected the applicants or guaranteed that their visa applications would be approved.
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has called for a broader investigation into the roles played by the Sports Ministry, the NSA, the GTA and TRIBE Culture Fest, arguing that the controversy raises questions that extend beyond the involvement of any single official.
The allegations remain subject to investigation, with the relevant authorities expected to establish how the arrangements were made and whether any laws or established procedures were breached.
