Nana Boateng Gyimah, CEO of TRIBE Culture Fest, has issued a categorical denial on or around 12 October 2026 of allegations by Ghana’s Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams that he or his organisation received approximately US$611,000 from private individuals in connection with 2026 FIFA World Cup visa and travel arrangements and were avoiding refunds.
The core statement reads: “We categorically deny the allegations by Sports Minister Kofi Adams that we received US$611,000 from private individuals and are avoiding a refund. We did not receive the alleged amount.”
For the record, Tribe Culture’s agreement was solely with the National Sports Authority and Ghana Tourism Authority. Neither I nor Tribe Culture Fest received the alleged US$611,000 from any private individual in connection with the arrangements in question.”
Context of the 2026 World Cup Visa Controversy
The dispute forms part of a broader scandal surrounding visa facilitation and travel support for Ghanaians ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup (hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in June–July 2026).
Allegations centre on claims that individuals paid substantial sums—reports variously cite fees of US$10,000 (US visa only), US$15,000 (US and Canadian visas), or institutional rates around US$2,000–US$3,000 per person in related arrangements—for assistance that in many cases did not result in visas or travel.
Key elements include:
• A list of about 90 people submitted (via a May 2026 letter from then-NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah) as event coordinators, volunteers, or similar for World Cup-related activities. Reports indicate only a small number (e.g., five) obtained visas.
• Involvement of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), and private events firm TRIBE Culture Fest (described in some accounts as a FIFA-licensed fan events partner). Agreements or memoranda of understanding reportedly existed between TRIBE and the state agencies for World Cup-related activities, including logistics, accommodation, visa processing support, and fan engagement (such as a “16×16” regional initiative).
• Claims of money collected from applicants, some of whom later demanded refunds after unsuccessful outcomes. Totals cited by the minister and others range around US$611,000 to US$623,000 (roughly GH¢7.3 million).
• A petition to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, reportedly from a former NSA official (Gyamfi Kusi Awere, ex-Chief Operations Officer), alleging introductions, office space at Accra Sports Stadium, payment collections, and commission splits. These claims remain untested allegations.
• Political dimensions: Opposition (NPP/Minority) figures, including Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah, have pressed the issue with documents, petitions to CHRAJ, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and the President, and calls for parliamentary probes and the minister’s resignation or suspension. The NSA Director-General was asked to step aside pending investigation.
The Sports Ministry has consistently distanced itself, stating it was not informed of detailed arrangements until a May 2026 letter, that it merely forwarded administrative requests through diplomatic channels, that the US Embassy retained final visa authority, that no ministry funds were lost, and that the minister personally benefited from nothing. It has noted the US Embassy reportedly introduced TRIBE Culture Fest to the NSA and GTA and has called for thorough investigation of any wrongdoing.
Minister Kofi Adams’ Allegations
In a TV3 interview on or around 11 October 2026 sighted by AhotorSports, Adams accused Gyimah of illegally collecting roughly US$611,000 (later adjusted by the minister in some reports to US$623,000) under arrangements linked to the NSA for transporting or assisting Ghanaians for the World Cup, and of promoting narratives—including feeding information to Assafuah—to avoid refunding the money and to deflect attention onto government officials.
Adams stated that authorities must ensure recovery and, if deception from the outset is established, pursue criminal action. He has described TRIBE Culture Fest as having defrauded applicants in this specific matter while acknowledging possible prior genuine business and said petitions to the CID indicated money was received by the company and individuals, with some refunds made but others refused. He has rejected personal or ministerial wrongdoing and calls for his own removal.
Gyimah’s Response and Challenge
In his 12 October 2026 statement, Gyimah rejected the claims as false and unsubstantiated. He insisted TRIBE’s contractual relationships were exclusively with the NSA and GTA, that neither he nor the organisation received the alleged sum from any private individual, and that his reputation and the organisation’s integrity should not be undermined by public accusations without evidence.
He challenged Adams to produce:
• Any agreement, authorisation, or consent involving him or TRIBE establishing the alleged financial arrangement.
• Verifiable payment records showing who paid, who received the money, when, and how the US$611,000 figure was calculated.
Gyimah called on the minister to substantiate the allegations or withdraw them and correct the public record, warning that otherwise he would instruct lawyers to act.