Ekow Essilfie to Mahama: Don’t let visa scandal end with NSA boss

Ekow Essilfie calls for a transparent inquiry into Ghana’s visa controversy, stressing fair investigation, responsible oversight, and the importance of restoring public confidence amid allegations of corruption.

Ekow Essilfie, host of the Asaase Breakfast Show, has called for an impartial investigation into the visa controversy surrounding Ghana’s participation in a cultural and tourism event in the United States, urging President John Dramani Mahama to ensure accountability across all institutions involved.

Essilfie argued that the removal of the former Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, should not mark the end of efforts to establish responsibility for the controversy.

Allegations are not proof of guilt. No individual or institution should be condemned before the facts are established

He called for scrutiny of Sports Minister Kofi Adams, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) Chief Executive Officer Maame Efua Houadjeto and private event organiser Tribe Culture Fest, whose chief executive, Nana Buateng Njima, has challenged the minister to substantiate allegations concerning payments linked to travel arrangements.

Speaking on the Show on Tuesday (13 October), Essilfie said allegations against individuals and institutions must be investigated fairly, but warned against allowing competing public statements to replace verifiable evidence.

“Allegations are not proof of guilt. No individual or institution should be condemned before the facts are established,” he said.

“But neither should the public be expected to accept competing explanations while critical questions remain unanswered.”

Questions over ministerial oversight
Essilfie questioned whether the Sports Ministry had carried out adequate checks before facilitating official communications relating to visa applications.

Sports Minister Kofi Adams has said the NSA did not inform him of any agreement with the US Embassy concerning visa acquisition. He has also said the US Embassy introduced Tribe Culture Fest to the NSA and the GTA.

However, according to Essilfie, the Minority in Parliament has argued that earlier correspondence raised concerns about the employment status of some applicants, potentially warranting more rigorous checks before subsequent names were submitted.

He said investigators must establish what the ministry knew, when it became aware of the concerns, who verified the applicants’ details and who authorised the relevant letters.

“When your ministry is asked to facilitate an official communication involving people described as public institution personnel, is forwarding the request enough, or does ministerial responsibility demand that the information be verified?” he asked.

Essilfie distinguished between personal involvement in alleged wrongdoing and political or administrative responsibility for oversight, arguing that both issues warranted examination.

He said a minister could not personally verify every detail of every operation under a ministry, but should not automatically distance himself from a process initiated by another agency.

Dispute over alleged $623,000 payments
The commentator also called for a detailed accounting of money allegedly collected from individuals in connection with the travel arrangements.

He said the minister had revised his allegation concerning Tribe Culture Fest from $611,000 to $623,000, while the event organiser’s chief executive had denied receiving the alleged amount and challenged the minister to produce supporting agreements, authorisations and payment records.

Essilfie said investigators must establish who paid the money, who received it, how much was collected from each traveller, what payments were made to the private company and how the funds were ultimately used.

“If the money was collected unlawfully, prove it. If people are owed refunds, recover their money. And if public officials facilitated wrongdoing, hold them accountable,” he said.

He stressed that public accusations should not be treated as convictions and that any findings must be supported by documentary evidence.

The GTA has denied collecting money in exchange for visa opportunities, saying its role was limited to facilitating applications and supporting tourism promotion activities.

Essilfie said the authority’s explanation, like those of the other parties, should be assessed against the available records.

“The question is whether the evidence tells the one consistent, verifiable story,” he said.

Calls for officials to step aside
Essilfie urged President Mahama to consider whether officials whose conduct or oversight responsibilities may be examined should temporarily step aside while investigations proceed.

The Minority in Parliament has called for action against Adams and Houadjeto, following the removal of the former NSA director-general.

Essilfie said temporarily asking officials to step aside would not amount to a declaration of guilt, but could help address concerns about conflicts of interest and protect the credibility of an investigation.

“President Mahama must ensure that this investigation follows the facts wherever they lead,” he said, adding that the inquiry should not spare individuals because of their positions or proximity to the presidency.

He also urged the president to ensure that the matter was investigated beyond the circumstances surrounding the former NSA director-general’s removal.

The commentator warned that repeated denials, counter-allegations and changing figures would not resolve the controversy without a transparent examination of the evidence.

Public trust at stake
Essilfie said the controversy had implications for Ghana’s international reputation, the credibility of public institutions and citizens who may have paid substantial sums believing they had legitimate opportunities to travel.

He said anyone who had been deceived should receive answers and, where appropriate, refunds, while officials found to have breached their responsibilities should face consequences.

Conversely, he said those against whom allegations were not substantiated should have their names cleared.

“The public deserves the truth. The accused deserve due process. And the country deserves an investigation whose credibility nobody has reason to doubt,” he said.

Essilfie called for investigators to establish who authorised the relevant communications, who handled the money, who verified the applicants and whether any public officials failed in their responsibilities.

He maintained that the controversy could not be resolved through public statements alone, urging the authorities to pursue the evidence and ensure that anyone found culpable was held accountable.

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