{
  "id": 13127807,
  "title": "GTA denies collecting money for 2026 World Cup visa arrangements",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/gta-denies-collecting-money-for-2026-world-cup-visa-arrangements",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T13:45:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "3News",
    "slug": "3news",
    "url": "https://3news.com/news/gta-denies-collecting-money-for-2026-world-cup-visa-arrangements"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has firmly denied allegations that it collected money from participants for visa arrangements during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a statement on October 9, the Authority clarified it had no authority to issue visas, guarantee approvals or influence immigration decisions. Participants were responsible for their own visa fees, travel and accommodation expenses. The GTA's participation aimed to showcase Ghana's tourism, culture and creative industries, involving groups such as cultural performers, musicians, exhibitors and media practitioners. Private-sector sponsorship was abandoned due to impracticable financial requirements. The Authority engaged diplomatic and immigration authorities for guidance on visa procedures and denied soliciting, receiving or authorizing any payments for visa acquisitions.",
  "summary": "The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has denied collecting money from applicants in exchange for visa opportunities linked to its tourism promotion activities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "World Cup visa scandal: Don’t shift blame to Ablakwa – Ekow Assafuah warns Sports Minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/world-cup-visa-scandal-dont-shift-blame-to-ablakwa-ekow-assafuah",
        "published": "2026-10-09T09:56:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "GTA CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto denies involvement in World Cup visa scandal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/gta-ceo-maame-efua-houadjeto-denies-involvement-in-world-cup-visa",
        "published": "2026-10-09T11:40:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Starr FM",
        "title": "We did not collect money for World Cup visa opportunities – GTA",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/we-did-not-collect-money-for-world-cup-visa-opportunities-gta",
        "published": "2026-10-09T12:11:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "GTA denies collecting money for World Cup visa opportunities",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/gta-denies-collecting-money-for-world-cup-visa-opportunities",
        "published": "2026-10-09T13:47:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}