The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the government of covertly sponsoring football supporters to the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, directly contradicting a public directive by President John Dramani Mahama.
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmakers claim the state is quietly funding travel and ticketing packages under a partisan arrangement, despite President Mahama’s explicit declaration that the state would halt mass, state-sponsored supporter travel as a critical cost-cutting measure.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, 9th June, 2026, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tolon and First Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Habib Iddrisu, demanded that the Minister for Sports and Recreation urgently brief Parliament on the true nature and cost of Ghana’s World Cup preparations and fan logistics.
According to Iddrisu, the government has secretly instituted a state-sponsored travel arrangement, selectively doling out travel opportunities to political insiders.
He alleged that majority Members of Parliament have each been allocated two travel slots, while further slots are being distributed at the constituency level through District Chief Executives (DCEs).
The Tolon lawmaker further disclosed that a screening and selection exercise for these prospective travelers is actively underway at the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra.
“The players have already gone for the World Cup and we have not been briefed. You think that this is a matter we must not know?” Mr. Iddrisu questioned during the press briefing.
The Minority raised sharp questions regarding transparency, financial accountability, and visa processing logistics, challenging the government to reveal the true cost of the operation to Ghanaian taxpayers.
Mr. Iddrisu pointed to a statement from Ghana’s Ambassador instructing Ghanaians in the diaspora to register for a pool of 1,000 match tickets allocated to the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
“Who bought the tickets, and how much is it costing the taxpayers?” Mr. Iddrisu demanded. “Over 2,000 people went to the American Embassy for visas… who is paying for the visa fees?”
The Minority maintains that the alleged state-sponsored travel scheme not only violates the President’s austerity pledges but also damages the image of the country by managing national sporting opportunities along strictly partisan lines.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
