Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, has rejected an invitation to appear before a committee set up by President John Dramani Mahama to investigate alleged irregularities in the 2026 FIFA World Cup visa acquisition process.
The Member of Parliament maintains he will not take part in an inquiry whose independence he considers compromised, arguing that the allegations ought to be examined by a fully independent commission of inquiry instead.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, November 5, Mr Assafuah revealed that the invitation was delivered to him by the President through presidential advisers. He voiced concern over the executive’s direct involvement, pointing out that the probe could ultimately touch on ministers serving within the current administration.
“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.
The lawmaker further criticized the presidential panel over what he described as a total lack of openness, highlighting that the panel’s composition, mandate, and sittings remain hidden from the public eye.
“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 said.
To ensure a thorough and unbiased review of the situation, Mr Assafuah confirmed that he has petitioned both the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the President to institute a formal, independent commission to look into the alleged visa and fundraising irregularities. He emphasized that such a body must operate with complete transparency, exercise legal powers to compel evidence, and present its findings openly.
“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.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana