The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has revealed that a petition has been submitted to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) by the Minority in Parliament.
The NPP’s National Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, made the revelation at a press conference, stating that the petition seeks an investigation into alleged visa irregularities involving public institutions and private entities.
“This afternoon, a petition has just been submitted to the office of the Special Prosecutor by Honorable Vincent Ekow Assifuah, and all Honorable Vincent Ekow Assifuah is asking is, we need clarity as to how 48 non-media practitioners found their names on our state letterhead presented to the US and the Canadian embassy as media practitioners.”
Dennis Miracles Aboagye
The party argues that the allegations warrant scrutiny in all government institutions. Mr Aboagye urged the OSP to establish how the names were compiled, who authorised their submission and whether public officials or private intermediaries facilitated the arrangements.
Furthermore, the NPP contends that the investigation must establish accountability across every institution implicated by the records cited at the press conference. It has rejected the suggestion that the matter can be resolved through administrative action against a single official.
The National Communications Director of party, Dennis Miracles Aboagye also called for decisive government intervention, arguing that the controversy threatens public confidence in state institutions and the integrity of Ghanaian documents presented abroad. The party expects the investigation to determine responsibility and ensure that any individuals found culpable face appropriate sanctions.
NPP Rejects Sports Ministry’s Defence Over Visa Scandal
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) challenged the Ministry of Sports and Recreation’s explanations concerning its role in the visa controversy, arguing that forwarding names to a foreign embassy cannot readily be dismissed as a technical exercise.
The party contends that the Ministry must explain why it used its official letterhead to transmit a list of applicants whose employment status has come under scrutiny.
Furthermore, the NPP National Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, questioned the Ministry’s characterisation of its May 2026 correspondence as a technical review rather than an endorsement.
He pointed to a letter dated May 28, titled “Request for ministerial support and visa facilitation consideration”, arguing that such wording carries significance in diplomatic communication.
“No embassy reads a ministry’s letter as a neutral courier slip. The very reason such letters are sought from the ministries is to provide support for the named individuals.”
Dennis Miracles Aboagye
Mr Aboagye also challenged the Ministry’s explanation that genuine staff were processed through a separate diplomatic channel. He argued that this account raises questions about the status of the 19 names forwarded to the US Embassy and what verification, if any, preceded their submission.
Furthermore, the NPP questioned the speed with which the list was processed, noting that the Ministry’s account placed the request’s receipt on May 25 and its forwarding on May 28. Mr Aboagye asked whether officials checked appointment letters, payroll records or other evidence before transmitting the names.
The party also disputed the Ministry’s emphasis on the absence of evidence that the minister personally benefited financially. The Communications Director stressed that the investigation must examine possible misrepresentation and failures of supervision, matters he considers distinct from whether money reached the minister.
Turning to the suspension of the NSA Director-General, Mr Aboagye added that accountability should extend to every office whose actions require examination. He reiterated that the Ministry’s own correspondence makes its role a legitimate subject of inquiry.
NPP Warns Visa Scandal Threatens Ghana’s Global Credibility
Turning to the alleged visa irregularities, NPP emphasised that this could damage the country’s international credibility and complicate legitimate travel for ordinary citizens. The party argues that the controversy extends beyond administrative misconduct because foreign embassies may question the reliability of official documents submitted on behalf of applicants.
The NPP National Communications Director linked the allegations to the difficulties Ghanaians already face when travelling or conducting business internationally. He argued that any perceived misuse of institutional identities could deepen scrutiny of legitimate applicants seeking visas for education, family visits, business and tourism.
“Ghana’s name is not for sale. Not at the US embassy, not at the Canadian High Commission, and not anywhere else.”
Dennis Miracles Aboagye
Furthermore, he urged the government to engage the US and Canadian missions and address any damage arising from the controversy, rather than leaving ordinary travellers to bear the consequences.
The NPP also questioned the handling of the Ghana Tourism Authority’s involvement, citing claims that only two of 50 people presented as media practitioners were recognised as genuine practitioners following scrutiny by the US Embassy. The party wants the authority to answer questions about its arrangements with a private entity, the resources committed and the visa-related lists submitted.
Beyond the diplomatic implications, Mr Aboagye called for alleged payments to be traced and for affected applicants to receive refunds where wrongdoing is established. He cited claims that some applicants paid substantially more than the stated processing rates, while the total amount allegedly collected was put at more than US$600,000.
