The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has declined President John Dramani Mahama’s invitation to participate in an investigation into alleged irregularities in visa acquisition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Assafuah, also the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, said he would not take part in the process because he had concerns about the independence and credibility of the committee the President established.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) legislator believes the matter should instead be investigated by an independent commission of inquiry with the authority to operate transparently and hold anyone found culpable accountable.
He disclosed that the invitation had been delivered through presidential advisers but said he had decided against accepting it on principle.
According to him, the President’s involvement in the investigative process could raise questions about a possible conflict of interest, particularly if members of his government were among those being investigated.
“I have respectfully boycotted that invitation. I did so on principle. The President cannot be seen to be investigating his own ministers. You cannot be a judge in your own cause,” myjoyonline.com quoted him as saying during a press conference on November 5, 2026.
Assafuah also questioned the committee’s transparency, arguing that the public had not been adequately informed about its membership, terms of reference or the nature of its proceedings.
He expressed concern that the identities of those serving on the committee and its mandate had not been made public, while its meetings were being held behind closed doors.
The Old Tafo MP further revealed that he had petitioned both the Office of the Special Prosecutor and President Mahama, urging them to establish an independent commission to investigate the alleged visa acquisition and fundraising irregularities.
He argued that such a commission would need sufficient independence and the authority to compel individuals to provide relevant evidence.
Assafuah also wants the findings of the investigation made public, insisting that anyone found responsible for wrongdoing should be held accountable.
“What Ghana needs is not a secret in-house cover-up committee. What Ghana needs is a public, transparent, independent commission of inquiry with powers to subpoena, to publish evidence and to hold persons accountable openly,” he added.
His decision to reject the invitation adds to calls for greater transparency over the investigation into the alleged irregularities surrounding arrangements for Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
