By GNA Reporter
Accra, Oct. 15, GNA – The Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) has denied wrongdoing in visa arrangements for its members expected to participate in tourism promotional activities linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It says GHATOF neither collected money for travel nor undertook to secure visas for applicants.
In a statement shared with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday, and signed by Mr Seth Ocran, GHATOF President, the Federation said publications on the matter risked misrepresenting its role in the initiative and improperly implicating the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).
The Federation said some of its members were themselves affected by the arrangements, with some losing money to third parties following representations that later proved unfounded.
The visa controversy comes amid wider scrutiny of arrangements for Ghana’s participation in tourism and cultural promotional activities associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The GTA and Tribe Culture Fest launched a nationwide “16×16” fan engagement initiative in March to bring the World Cup experience to all 16 regions through football screenings, cultural activities and tourism promotion.
GHATOF explained that its participation opportunity arose from its longstanding working relationship with the GTA, which offered it slots for tourism promotional activities associated with the global football tournament.
It said the GTA Chief Executive Officer initially indicated that sponsorship was being sought to cover some members’ travel expenses.
However, members were later informed that, owing to sponsorship challenges, they would have to bear their own travel costs, including visa fees.
According to the statement, the visa fee was initially communicated as GHS2,000 but was later revised to GHS2,250 because of exchange rate fluctuations.
Its members paid the revised amount, it said.
GHATOF said that on the eve of the scheduled United States visa interviews, its President met the applicants to verify their names in the system and collect their DS-160 forms, which are required for visa applications.
The forms, however, had not been printed by the following morning, despite assurances that they would be delivered to the United States Embassy.
At the Embassy, only a few applicants received their forms, while others were informed that their visa fees had not been paid.
The President, subsequently contacted the GTA Chief Executive Officer and asked her to go to the Embassy to clarify the situation.
She reportedly indicated that an error might have occurred and undertook to reschedule the appointments.
GHATOF said the same problem occurred on the rescheduled date, when members were again informed that their visa fees had not been paid.
It was at that stage, the statement said, that the Federation learnt that Tribe Culture Fest, a company outside its membership, had been handling the DS-160 forms.
A representative of the company reportedly said the forms were ready at its office at the Accra Sports Stadium and would be delivered to the Embassy.
However, the documents had still not arrived after three hours, and no further communication was received.
The statement said the GHATOF President, subsequently,convened a meeting with members present, including former President Mr Charles Adu-Gyamfi, to express the Federation’s displeasure with the arrangements.
GHATOF questioned why the contract had been awarded to a company outside the association, arguing that its membership included tour operators with the capacity to manage and coordinate travel arrangements for the World Cup.
It added that a video of the meeting at the Embassy had since circulated publicly.
The Federation said its President later issued an internal address to the Governing Council and the wider membership on the arrangements and the way forward.
However, after learning that the document had entered the public domain and receiving more information on the matter, he formally retracted it and apologised to Mrs Maame EfuaHouadjeto on June 22, 2026.
GHATOF maintained that its participation in the initiative followed an opportunity extended by the GTA to tourism industry stakeholders.
The participation slots were offered free of charge, while the associated expenses were to be borne by the Federation and the applicants.
It said its role should be assessed in the context of the actual arrangements, visa fee payments, administrative challenges encountered and the refund issued.
The Federation reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible engagement with public institutions and tourism industry stakeholders.
It urged that tourism and hospitality trade associations be involved from the outset in future national promotional initiatives, supported by clear arrangements and accountability mechanisms to prevent similar challenges.
GHATOF also reaffirmed its commitment to working with the GTA and other stakeholders to advance tourism development and strengthen Ghana’s international profile.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation has denied wrongdoing in the wider visa controversy and called for an investigation to establish the facts.
GNA
Edited by
Beatrice Asamani Savage