Ghana’s Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Iddie Adams, has dismissed claims that tickets procured for Ghanaian fans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are being sold illegally, insisting that the government is not involved in any such activity.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Monday, June 1, the Minister said what is being circulated is largely speculation and misunderstanding of how supporters’ mobilisation arrangements are being handled.
He clarified that various private organisations, including travel and tour companies, are independently facilitating supporter travel and fan packages, which are separate from government arrangements.
According to him, these organisations operate commercially and are entitled to charge fees for their services, stressing that such activities should not be confused with any government-run ticket distribution process.
“We are not using budgetary allocations, we are not taking money from state coffers to fund or do what it is that we are doing,” he said.
He explained that the government stepped back and invited interested companies to support supporter mobilisation efforts through voluntary partnerships and sponsorships.
On ticket distribution, the Minister said Ghana’s arrangement with FIFA ensures electronic ticketing linked to individual email addresses, reducing the risk of resale and black-market activity that has characterised previous tournaments.
He noted that tickets may also be assigned in groups of up to 20, with a designated leader responsible for managing entry into stadiums.
“So a lot has been introduced to make sure that nobody will go and resell his or her ticket to make some money out of it. And we will seriously check that,” he said.
Adams further stressed that transparency will guide the entire process, with embassies, high commissions, Ghanaian community leaders, and government officials working together to oversee distribution in Canada and the United States.
He acknowledged that demand will exceed supply, noting that Ghanaian communities abroad are far larger than the available ticket allocations.
However, he urged patience and warned against accusations of bias if some supporters do not receive tickets.
“We will make sure that we are transparent. We are open. Everybody will get to know how those tickets have been done,” he added.
The Minister assured Ghanaians in the diaspora that the government’s commitment to supporting World Cup participation will be implemented fairly, without favouritism.
