Minority challenges claim all 431 government-sponsored World Cup travellers have returned

The Minority in Parliament has raised doubts about the government's claim that all 431 individuals sponsored to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States have returned to Ghana. The opposition party questions the driver of Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams and a secretary in the Ministry’s Chief Director's office, whom they believe have yet to return to the country.

Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, brought these concerns to light during Mr Adams' briefing to the Committee. He pointed out that the Minister denied knowing a Mr Okyere, who is identified as the driver, even though he acknowledged the possibility of knowing the individual. The Minority's questions also extend to Christie, who the caucus says was among the group of sponsored travelers but has not returned to Ghana.

Assafuah urged the Ministry to provide documentary evidence to substantiate its claim, highlighting the need for transparency in the matter. "We are asking the Minister to publish all the 431 people, their passport numbers and their names as to whether these people actually returned back to Ghana or not," he stated. The Minority's skepticism increases when considering the two individuals identified by the caucus.

"If the government says that all the 431 people that were sponsored by the government all returned back to Ghana, that cannot be the case," he added. The Minority is demanding that the names and passport numbers of all 431 sponsored travelers be published, allowing for verification of their travel and return status. The allegations against the two individuals are claims made by the Opposition and have not, based on the information provided, been independently verified.