Assafuah rejects Mahama’s invitation to World Cup visa probe committee

Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee Ranking Member, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has rejected an invitation to appear before a committee set up by President John Dramani Mahama to investigate alleged irregularities in the 2026 FIFA World Cup visa acquisition process.

The MP says he will not participate in an investigation whose independence he questions, insisting that the allegations should instead be examined by an independent commission of inquiry.

At a press conference on Thursday, November 5, Mr Assafuah disclosed that the invitation was conveyed to him by the President through his presidential advisers.

He argued that the president's involvement in the process raised concerns because the investigation could involve ministers serving in his government.

“I have respectfully boycotted that invitation. I did so on principle. The president cannot be seen to be investigating his own ministers. You cannot be a judge in your own cause,” he said.

Mr Assafuah also faulted the committee for what he described as a lack of openness, questioning why its membership, terms of reference and proceedings had not been made public.

“That committee is shrouded in complete opacity. Its terms of reference are not public, its members are unknown, and its sittings are held behind closed doors,” he said.

He disclosed that he had petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the President to establish an independent commission to investigate the alleged visa and fundraising irregularities.

According to him, such a commission should operate transparently, have the power to compel the production of evidence and make its findings available to the public.

“What Ghana needs is not a secret in-house cover-up committee. What Ghana needs is a public, transparent, independent commission of inquiry with powers to subpoena, to publish evidence and to hold persons accountable openly,” he added.