The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, has denied personal involvement in the sale of visas or the collection of money from applicants in exchange for visa opportunities linked to Ghana’s tourism promotion activities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a press statement issued on Friday, October 9, 2026, Mrs Houadjeto said her involvement in the initiative was in line with her official responsibilities and the Authority’s mandate to promote Ghana as a tourism destination.
The programme was designed to showcase Ghana’s tourism, culture, music, fashion, crafts and creative industries to international audiences during the tournament.
“As the CEO of the GTA, I firmly deny any personal involvement in the sale of visas or the collection of money from applicants in exchange for visa opportunities,” she stated.
Mrs Houadjeto explained that the Authority had engaged the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission to seek guidance on visa application requirements as part of preparations for the initiative.
However, she stressed that the GTA had no authority to guarantee visa approvals or determine the outcomes of applications, which fall outside its mandate.
The GTA CEO also defended the inclusion of bloggers, social media influencers, digital content creators, photographers and videographers in the programme.
She argued that tourism promotion extends beyond conventional journalism, requiring the involvement of professionals with different skills and platforms to showcase Ghana to international audiences.
“The professional relevance of participants should be assessed against their intended functions and promotional responsibilities rather than exclusively against conventional journalism classifications,” the statement said.
Mrs Houadjeto further called for the circumstances surrounding the programme to be assessed based on verified facts, institutional records and the distinct responsibilities of the parties involved.
She maintained that her role in the initiative was connected to the GTA’s tourism promotion mandate.
