Visa fraud scandal: GOC confirms raiding of office

The Vice President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Paul Atchoe has confirmed that the office of the General Secretary of the committee was ransacked by some unknown men on Monday, 9th April 2018.

Paul Atchoe disclosed to GhanaWeb TV in an exclusive interview that the yet-to-be-identified men made away with some vital documents including the list of journalists who were given introductory letters by the GOC. The data system of the administrator was also tampered with.

“On Monday when we came to work, we noticed that one of our offices was accessed. From a quick check we realized a document was missing and this document was the names of journalists that applied to us for letters of introduction to the Australian High Commission. The list was published by the Herald and then we made a report to the Police and as it stands now the issue is under investigation. The office that was raided is the office of the General Secretary who is in Australia now but his secretary is in Ghana and he is the one who generated the list, he remarked”.

Ghana’s participation in the 2018 Commonwealth Games has been rocked with visa fraud scandal following the deportation of over 50 fake journalist.



GOC open to investigations

The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and the Commonwealth Games Association of Ghana (CGA) say their outfit will welcome any investigation into the deportation of some 50 supposed Ghanaian journalists who travelled to Australia with the country’s delegation to cover the Commonwealth Games. The Sports Ministry, the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the GOC have been accused of facilitating the acquisition of the visas as the travel documents presented by the affected individuals were genuine even though they did not appear to be journalists.

“We welcome any investigation into the matter to expose those involved in this fraudulent conduct. Our athletes are poised for the games and at this time wish to concentrate and exert their energies towards the games to achieve their objectives”.

“We, however, wish to plead with you all that at this moment our focus, thoughts and prayers must be with our athletes, some of whom are already putting up some amazing performances.

The latest development in the on-going saga is that the Deputy Sports Minister Pius Enam Hadzide and the Director of the National Sports Authority, Robert Sarfo-Mensah have been suspended President Akufo-Addo