GTA CEO Denies Involvement in Visa Sales Allegations
Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has denied personal involvement in the sale of visas or 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 statement issued on Friday, October 9, 2026, she said the initiative formed part of the Authority’s mandate to promote Ghana’s tourism, culture and creative industries. She added that the GTA engaged the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission for guidance on visa requirements but had no authority to guarantee approvals or determine application outcomes.
The statement also defended the inclusion of bloggers, influencers, digital content creators, photographers and videographers, arguing that tourism promotion extends beyond conventional journalism. Ms Houadjeto called for the issue to be assessed using verified facts and institutional records. The controversy, which is under investigation, has led to the suspension of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, Director-General of the National Sports Authority.
