Minority Ranking Member Vincent Ekow Assafuah has questioned how officials involved in preparing World Cup-related visa documents expected foreign embassies to accept lists containing positions and board memberships that could be checked against official records.
Assafuah argued that the discrepancies he identified should have raised concerns among those responsible for compiling or approving the documents.
He said a list submitted to the United States Embassy allegedly contained more than 30 people described as Ghana Tourism Authority board members or affiliates, despite the authority having about 11 board members.
Assafuah also cited examples from documents relating to the National Sports Authority, including positions he said did not exist in the authority’s organisational structure.
He questioned why those responsible would submit such information without anticipating that embassy officials would verify it.
“It’s surprising to think that anybody, an official, office holder, will put this together or supervise this thinking that the embassies will not do due diligence,” he said on Joy News’ Newsfile.
Assafuah added that the inclusion of numerous alleged board members and affiliates should have prompted scrutiny before the documents were sent abroad.
His comments focused on the preparation and verification of the documents, as well as the responsibility of officials who may have overseen the process.
The allegations have intensified calls for investigations into the handling of World Cup travel arrangements and the documents submitted to foreign diplomatic missions.
