Old Tafo MP says investigation into alleged corruption in Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup sponsorship arrangements must result in accountability and prosecution
The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has called on the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to conduct a thorough investigation into alleged corruption and financial irregularities surrounding Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup sponsorship and travel arrangements.
Mr Assafuah welcomed the OSP’s decision to assume jurisdiction over the matter, describing it as an important step towards establishing the facts and addressing concerns about transparency, financial accountability and the selection of beneficiaries.
In a statement, the legislator disclosed that the development follows a petition submitted to the anti-corruption institution, after which he and other petitioners were invited for an engagement with the OSP.
He said the meeting lasted approximately four hours, during which they presented documentary evidence, responded to questions and provided further explanations on the issues raised in their petition.
According to him, the OSP also asked questions to clarify aspects of the allegations as part of its preliminary engagement with the petitioners.
Mr Assafuah said their decision to submit documentary evidence and cooperate with the process demonstrates their commitment to ensuring that the allegations are independently investigated.
“Our willingness to submit ourselves to this process, provide documents and respond to every question demonstrates unequivocally that we are not shying away from any investigation,” he stated.
He added that their objective is to establish the truth and ensure that appropriate accountability measures are taken against anyone found to have engaged in wrongdoing.
The Old Tafo MP also renewed his reservations about the committee established by President John Dramani Mahama to investigate the controversy surrounding Ghana’s World Cup sponsorship and travel arrangements.
He questioned whether an investigative process conducted behind closed doors, without sufficient transparency and public accountability, could inspire the confidence needed to address the concerns raised.
Mr Assafuah argued that the OSP, as an independent institution operating under a statutory mandate, offered a more credible avenue for examining the allegations and determining whether any criminal offences had been committed.
He maintained that the involvement of the anti-corruption body is particularly important given the financial and administrative issues surrounding the sponsorship and travel arrangements.
While welcoming the investigation, Mr Assafuah cautioned that it must go beyond public announcements and produce tangible results.
He said Ghanaians expects a comprehensive and independent examination of the issues, with particular attention to the financial transactions, beneficiary lists and allocation of travel opportunities.
Among the matters he wants the OSP to investigate are the payments made in connection with the sponsorship arrangements, the identities of beneficiaries and the circumstances under which travel opportunities were allocated.
He also called for investigations into allegations that some winners of competitions were excluded from the final beneficiary lists submitted to foreign diplomatic missions.
According to the MP, investigators must establish how the relevant lists were compiled, who was responsible for their preparation and whether the final submissions reflected the original selection criteria.
He further urged the OSP to trace the flow of funds and scrutinise every relevant transaction to determine how the money was received, disbursed and utilised.
Mr Assafuah stressed that the investigation must establish whether the processes followed were transparent and whether any individuals improperly benefited from the arrangements.
The legislator insisted that the investigation should not conclude with an announcement that the OSP has commenced inquiries.
Rather, he said, the process must provide definitive answers, identify any persons responsible for wrongdoing and ensure that the appropriate legal consequences follow.
He called for the prosecution of individuals against whom sufficient evidence of criminal conduct is established.
“Ultimately, this investigation must not end with an announcement that investigations have commenced. It must end with answers, accountability and, where the evidence establishes criminal wrongdoing, prosecution,” he stated.
Mr Assafuah maintained that the credibility of the investigation would depend on the willingness of the OSP to follow the evidence, irrespective of the individuals or institutions involved.
He said Ghanaians deserves a transparent and conclusive investigation that would address the concerns surrounding the World Cup sponsorship and travel arrangements and strengthen public confidence in the management of national affairs.
By 1960news.com
