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The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the government of secretly financing the travel of football supporters to the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite President John Dramani Mahama’s earlier pledge to end state-sponsored fan trips to major international tournaments.
Opposition lawmakers argue that the alleged initiative contradicts the President’s commitment to reducing government expenditure and implementing austerity measures.
During a parliamentary session on Tuesday, June 9, First Deputy Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Tolon, Habib Iddrisu, called on the Minister for Sports and Recreation to brief the House on Ghana’s World Cup preparations, including supporter travel arrangements and ticket allocations.
Mr. Iddrisu claimed that a covert system is selecting certain individuals for travel, favoring political affiliates and insiders rather than following a transparent national process. According to the Minority MP, travel slots have reportedly been allocated to MPs on the Majority side, with additional opportunities distributed through Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives.
He added that potential travelers are currently undergoing screening at the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra ahead of the tournament.
“The national team has already traveled for the competition, yet Parliament has not been provided with a full account of preparations or associated costs,” Mr. Iddrisu stated, questioning why lawmakers had not been fully informed.
The Minority also raised concerns about the financial implications of the alleged program, demanding clarity on how it is funded and whether taxpayers’ money is being used.
Citing reports that Ghana’s diplomatic missions encouraged the diaspora to register for roughly 1,000 tickets allocated to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr. Iddrisu asked who financed the tickets and how much public money, if any, was involved.
He further sought clarification on whether government funds are covering visa fees and related expenses, amid reports that thousands had applied for visas to attend the tournament.
The Minority insists that the government provide a detailed breakdown of all expenditures tied to supporter travel and ticket distribution to ensure accountability and maintain public trust.
The caucus warned that if the allegations are true, the program could undermine the President’s fiscal discipline agenda and raise concerns about politicizing opportunities linked to national sporting events.
As calls for clarification grow, all eyes are on the Sports Ministry to explain the government’s involvement in supporter travel arrangements for the World Cup.
Story by Efua Nessa