Tribe Culture Fest has come under the spotlight amid investigations into the 2026 FIFA World Cup visa scandal, which has resulted in the suspension of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah as Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA).

The entity had formed a partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the NSA to enhance the World Cup viewing experience across all regions of the country.

However, the partnership reportedly extended beyond the viewing project, with Tribe Culture Fest becoming linked to visa-related activities that have generated controversy.

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Aggrieved individuals have petitioned the police over the alleged visa arrangements, with investigations currently ongoing.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tribe Culture Fest, Nana Boateng Gyimah, has not publicly commented on the allegations. Reports indicate that he is cooperating with investigators as the case unfolds.

About Tribe Culture Fest

Tribe Culture Fest operates at the intersection of sports diplomacy, cultural storytelling and destination branding.

The organisation collaborates with governments, tourism authorities, sports federations, creatives and private-sector partners to design experiences that promote culture, strengthen global connections and enhance international visibility.

Tribe Culture Fest delivers large-scale cultural and sporting experiences aimed at celebrating heritage, empowering communities and positioning cities and nations on the global stage through innovative programming and strategic partnerships.

Its activities include immersive festivals and international fan activations that combine sports, music, fashion, arts and storytelling.

The organisation also organises youth tournaments, clinics and professional sports experiences designed to unite communities and inspire the next generation.

In addition, it undertakes destination-led activations that showcase cities, heritage and lifestyle while promoting tourism and global engagement. It also collaborates with embassies, institutions and brands to deliver international campaigns through culture and sport.

Involvement in World Cup visa scandal

Multimedia Sports journalist Muftawu Nabila, while reading portions of a petition submitted to the police, disclosed how former NSA Chief Operations Officer Gyamfi Kusi Awere was introduced to the CEO of Tribe Culture Fest, Nana Boateng Gyimah, by then NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah to facilitate visa processes.

"Yaw took me to a meeting at the American Embassy somewhere in August last year after Ghana had qualified for the World Cup. And after the meeting, when he came out of the room to the main entrance of the embassy, I saw Yaw with a group of people having some discussions. Then he called me to come. That was when he introduced me to Nana Boateng Gyimah. He said he is the CEO of Tribe Culture Fest, the wife of Christine Gyimah, and a member of GTA, which is the Ghana Tourism Authority.

"Yaw told me that Nana Gyimah, aka Nana Tribe, can facilitate visas for people, including NSA staff, to travel to the USA and Canada to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup. So I should liaise with him and report to him, Yaw, as my Director-General, which I was doing according to his instructions," portions of the petition read, according to Nabila.

It was further alleged that after the initial visa processes were successful, Ampofo Ankrah directed Gyamfi to liaise with Nana Boateng to facilitate visas for NSA staff and other individuals interested in travelling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to the petition, Gyamfi received payments from applicants and subsequently forwarded the money to the Tribe Culture Fest CEO.

"In November 2025, Nana Tribe was able to facilitate or secure visas for Yaw, myself, and six staff at the American Embassy. Thereafter, Yaw officially gave Nana Tribe an office at the Accra Sports Stadium to operate.

"He goes on to say that about 80% of the people who came to pay their visa deposit to me, given to Nana Tribe, were directed by Yaw to meet me, apart from some of the few NSA staff who came directly to me. Yaw was the mastermind of the whole thing we did at the World Cup. And he said that this is the transaction part. He said that when he directs people to come and pay their deposit to me, I quickly call Nana Tribe to come for the money for the visa processing," other portions of the petition reportedly read.

The former NSA COO reportedly said the challenge was that some people who made payments did not obtain visas, leading aggrieved individuals to demand refunds.

He further alleged that he and Ampofo Ankrah received $56,000 each in commissions from Nana Boateng and called for the NSA Director-General to refund his share so the money could compensate those affected.

The allegations contained in the petition form part of an ongoing investigation, and the claims have not been established in court.

SB/JKB

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