The Minority in Parliament has accused organisers of the World Cup Bonanza Raffle of misleading Ghanaians, with the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo and Ranking Member on the Sports Committee, Honourable Vincent Ekow Assafuah, characterising the initiative as a “Ponzi scheme.”
Speaking at a press conference, the Old Tafo MP revisited his earlier attempts to draw attention to the visa scandals, while highlighting alleged irregularities in the handling of two raffles organised in connection with Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He also called attention to the controversies surrounding the raffles, particularly the allegations of impropriety and the circumstances surrounding their organisation.
Honourable Assafuah contended that the raffle was presented as an opportunity for 220 supporters to travel to the tournament in the United States and Canada, with flights, accommodation and match tickets fully sponsored.
“The Ponzi scheme continued, with the first winners being asked to send their scanned passports to a WhatsApp number carrying dialing codes of Mali.”
Honourable Vincent Ekow Assafuah
The Ranking Member traced the first raffle’s launch to November 4, 2025, when the GFA, NLA and Rambell introduced the scheme at the GFA headquarters in Accra. Participants were required “to dial *899# and pay GH¢10 for each entry” with the NLA Caritas platform promoted as “a fair means of entry.”
However, Honourable Assafuah questioned what became of the money collected after the first raffle was abandoned and a second one introduced. He challenged the organisers to identify the winners of the initial draw, establish whether they travelled to the World Cup and clarify whether participants received full cash refunds.
The Old Tafo MP also pointed to the second raffle, launched at the Ministry of Finance in Accra on March 18, 2026, and publicly endorsed by President John Dramani Mahama on March 23. He contended that the President’s participation gave the initiative “additional credibility and encouraged Ghanaians to trust its promises.”
In addition, Honourable Assafuah alleged that winners of the second draw were also instructed to send scanned passports to the same Malian dialing code. They were reportedly given only 95 minutes to submit the documents or risk forfeiting their prizes.
He called on the NLA, GFA, Rambell Lotteries, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the World Cup Fundraising Committee to account for the funds collected and clarify the raffles’ administration.
Old Tafo MP Rejects Committee, Demands Independent World Cup Inquiry
The Minority in Parliament also challenged the process established by President John Dramani Mahama to investigate the World Cup visa and fundraising controversy.
The Ranking Member for the Sports Committee And Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Honourable Vincent Ekow Assafuah explained that he petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the President, seeking an independent investigation. He cited public interest, possible criminal liability and alleged abuse of public office.
“What Ghana needs is not a secret in-house 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.”
Honourable Vincent Ekow Assafuah
The Old Tafo MP indicated that the President, through presidential advisories, invited him to assist investigations before a committee chaired by Professor Dodoo. However, he declined, citing shortcomings in the committee’s establishment and operations.
Honourable Assafuah questioned the propriety of the President overseeing an inquiry into allegations concerning members of his own government. He invoked the principle that “you cannot be a judge in your own cause”, arguing that impartiality is essential to public confidence.
The Ranking Member also criticised the committee’s lack of transparency. He pointed to the absence of publicly available terms of reference, the undisclosed identities of its members and the decision to conduct proceedings behind closed doors.
He considers these circumstances inadequate for resolving the controversy. He proposed a public hearing before an independent body empowered to compel testimony, examine evidence and publish its findings.
A commission authorised to subpoena individuals and make proceedings accessible would, in his assessment, provide a credible means of establishing the facts and determining accountability.
The petition to the Special Prosecutor and the appeal to the President represent the formal action taken to trigger scrutiny of the visa and fundraising controversy.
Honourable Assafuah characterised his boycott as a matter of principle, not a refusal to support an investigation. He contended that a process lacking public terms of reference and open proceedings cannot adequately reassure citizens that evidence will be assessed impartially.
He wants the process conducted publicly, independently and with sufficient powers to establish responsibility, including through open and accessible hearings for affected Ghanaian citizens.
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