Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has refused to appear before a presidential committee investigating alleged irregularities in the acquisition of visas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP said he had declined the invitation because he questioned the committee’s independence and wanted the matter investigated by an independent commission of inquiry.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, November 5, Assafuah said the invitation was extended to him by President John Dramani Mahama through his presidential advisers.
He argued that the President’s involvement raised concerns about the impartiality of the process, particularly because ministers in his government could be among those whose conduct might come under scrutiny.
“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,” he said.
Assafuah also questioned the committee’s transparency, saying its membership, terms of reference and proceedings had not been made public.
“That committee is shrouded in complete opacity. Its terms of reference are not public, its members are unknown, and its sittings are held behind closed doors,” he stated.
The MP said he had petitioned both the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the President to support the establishment of an independent commission to investigate the alleged visa and fundraising irregularities.
He wants the proposed commission to operate publicly, have the power to compel the production of evidence and publish its findings.
“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.
