World Cup visa scandal: Wonder Kofi Mandel defends Ministry’s position, insists no one will be shielded

Story by Achore Richard

Special Aide to the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Wonder Kofi Mandel, has mounted a strong defence of the Ministry’s handling of Ghana’s World Cup visa controversy, arguing that the timeline of engagements with the United States Embassy must be properly understood and that anyone found culpable of wrongdoing must be held accountable.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, October 9, 2026, Wonder Mandel addressed concerns surrounding visa arrangements for Ghanaian stakeholders expected to travel to the World Cup, including questions raised by Minority MP, Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah over a letter he has reportedly been presenting in connection with the matter.

Wonder Mandel’s central message was that the controversy should be resolved through facts, documentary evidence and a fair investigation rather than conclusions drawn from incomplete timelines or competing political claims.

He stressed that the Ministry of Sports and Recreation would not protect any individual found guilty of wrongdoing, regardless of the institution involved, specifically mentioning the National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and TribeFest.

He also insisted that anyone who made improper payments in connection with the visa arrangements should receive a refund.

The position, as presented by wonder Mandel, places accountability at the heart of the Ministry’s response while highlighting the need to distinguish between the actions of the various institutions involved in the process.

January 28 and April 9: Why the timeline matters

One of the most significant aspects of Wonder Mandel’s presentation was his explanation of when the different institutions began engaging the US Embassy.

According to him, the NSA initiated engagement with the Embassy on January 28, 2026, without the involvement of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

He maintained that the Ministry’s first engagement with the Embassy occurred on April 9, 2026, disputing the timeline attributed to the Minority.

“Our first engagement with the US Embassy was on April 9, not on the date claimed by the Minority,” Mandel said.

The distinction is important because it separates the NSA’s initial engagement from the Ministry’s subsequent involvement. It also raises questions about which institution handled the early correspondence and at what point the Ministry became directly involved in the arrangements.

Wonder Mandel’s explanation provides the Ministry’s account of the sequence of events and suggests that its role should be assessed within the correct timeline.

The dates must ultimately be tested against official correspondence and other records to establish precisely how the process unfolded.

Yaw Kusi Awere’s role requires context

Wonder Mandel also addressed the involvement of Yaw Kusi Awere, whose email exchanges with the embassies have become part of the controversy.

He disclosed that Awere was not an NSA staff member at the time of the correspondence.

Ministry insists accountability will cut across institutions

Perhaps the strongest element of Wonder Mandel’s presentation was his insistence that any investigation should extend to all parties against whom evidence of wrongdoing emerges.

By naming the NSA, GTA and TribeFest, he made it clear that the Ministry’s stated position was not to restrict scrutiny to a single institution or individual.

His call for refunds where improper payments are established also addresses the concerns of applicants who may have lost money in the process.

For that commitment to translate into action, however, investigators would need to establish whether such payments were made, who received them, the circumstances under which they were collected and whether the transactions breached any applicable rules.

The Ministry’s position is that the facts must determine responsibility and that no official should enjoy protection if wrongdoing is proven.

Mandel’s defence of the Ministry ultimately rests on the need to clarify the timeline, establish the roles of those involved and ensure that accountability applies to everyone found culpable.

The Ministry’s stated willingness to investigate officials from the NSA, GTA and TribeFest, together with its insistence that improper payments should be refunded, provides