The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of allocating FIFA World Cup travel slots to Members of Parliament from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and party supporters while failing to brief Parliament on Ghana’s preparations for the tournament.
Speaking at a press conference, Deputy Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Tolon, Habib Iddrisu, alleged that each NDC MP had been allocated two travel slots, while every NDC constituency had received three slots to facilitate visa applications for the World Cup.
“Government is giving NDC MPs two slots and allocating three slots to every NDC constituency,” he claimed.
Mr. Iddrisu further alleged that some beneficiaries were being sponsored to attend visa interviews at the United States Embassy, raising concerns about the source of the funding.
“They have sponsored people to go to the embassy. How many people have they sponsored to go to the embassy? Visa fees are about 185 dollars per person. Where is that money coming from? The minister and government need to answer these questions,” he said.
The Tolon MP also criticised the Ministry of Youth and Sports for what he described as a lack of transparency regarding Ghana’s preparations for the Black Stars’ participation in the World Cup.
“Why is the government and the Ministry for Youth and Sports running away from briefing Parliament or briefing Ghanaians on the preparation of the Black Stars towards the World Cup?” he questioned.
Mr. Iddrisu further pointed to what he described as contradictions in the government’s position, noting that while President John Dramani Mahama had indicated that the state would not sponsor supporters to attend the tournament, supporters’ groups and party affiliates were allegedly being allocated travel opportunities.
“They said they are not sponsoring supporters to go to the World Cup. So why are supporters’ unions being given slots? Why are NDC MPs receiving two slots each, and why are constituencies being allocated slots for people to be sponsored to the embassy?” he asked.
According to the Minority MP, the alleged arrangement could negatively affect Ghana’s international image, claiming that several visa applicants had already been denied entry visas due to inadequate screening processes.
He also called on the Minister for Youth and Sports to appear before Parliament and provide details on the number of match tickets secured for the tournament, the amount of money raised through donations towards Ghana’s participation, and how those funds had been utilised.
Drawing comparisons with the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, Mr. Iddrisu said Parliament had been comprehensively briefed ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the Africa Cup of Nations, with expenditure reports submitted after the tournaments.
“When we were going to Qatar, the minister responsible for Youth and Sports briefed Parliament on the preparation, budget and everything. At the end of the tournament, they returned to Parliament and presented a detailed expenditure report,” he stated.
He urged the government to demonstrate the same level of accountability by providing Parliament with a full briefing on preparations and expenditure related to Ghana’s participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
