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| Felix Adomako Mensah, popularly known as ZionFelix |
New Ghana Social Justice Forum Questions Media Responsibility, Celebrity Influence and the Need for Independent Journalism
The New Ghana Social Justice Forum (NGSJF) has raised concerns over what it describes as the apparent lack of mainstream media coverage of its petition to diplomatic missions concerning Felix Adomako Mensah, popularly known as ZionFelix, and allegations surrounding the promotion of the activities of Central Migration Grace and its Chief Executive Officer, Alifa Adams.
The Forum says the matter raises a broader and uncomfortable question about the relationship between Ghana's media industry, celebrities and commercial interests:
Does every public-interest story receive the same level of media attention, or can the influence and stature of an individual determine what gets published?
The petition, which has been presented to diplomatic missions in Accra, seeks an independent examination of allegations concerning visa and travel transactions involving Central Migration Grace and raises questions about the role celebrity endorsements can play in influencing members of the public.
WHY THE MEDIA SILENCE?
According to the Forum, the apparent difficulty in securing broad mainstream coverage of its petition raises important questions about media independence and editorial responsibility.
The Forum is asking:
Is the story being overlooked because of ZionFelix's stature and influence in Ghana's entertainment industry?
Are commercial relationships between celebrities and media organisations affecting editorial decisions?
Are media organisations reluctant to investigate stories involving personalities with strong connections within the media industry?
Could some media platforms themselves have commercial interests in promoting travel and visa businesses?
The Forum says these questions deserve public discussion not because ZionFelix or anyone else should be condemned without evidence, but because independent journalism is essential to public accountability.
WHEN CELEBRITY INFLUENCE MEETS THE VISA BUSINESS
The NGSJF says its concern extends beyond one celebrity.
The Forum argues that celebrities, influencers and bloggers can exercise considerable influence over public confidence when promoting businesses or individuals offering travel and visa services.
In the case cited in its petition, the Forum refers to social-media material in which ZionFelix is seen visiting and interviewing Alifa Adams and showcasing aspects of his residence and lifestyle.
The Forum says such promotional content may have contributed to an impression of credibility and success surrounding the businessman and his organisation.
One reported complainant, Matilda Ampomaa Nyame, has reportedly told the Forum that the social-media content and reputation of ZionFelix contributed to the confidence she placed in the organisation before making payments.
THE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE
The Forum says it has submitted documentary material to accompany its petition, including a video relating to ZionFelix and Central Migration Grace, as well as other online publications and materials concerning Alifa Adams.
Documentary material:
ZION FELIX – CMG documentary material
The Forum also draws attention to material concerning the reported presentation of an award to Alifa Adams as “Best Travel and Tour” by Corporate People's Choice, asking that the circumstances surrounding the award and its relevance to the wider allegations be independently examined.
The NGSJF says it has also supplied references to previous media reports concerning Alifa Adams, including reports relating to an alleged GH¢40,000 visa-fraud case in 2023 and a 2015 police recruitment fraud case.
THE LESSON OF NAM1 AND MENZGOLD
The Forum says the controversy also raises an important lesson from Ghana's Menzgold/NAM1 experience.
Menzgold received extensive celebrity endorsements and promotional exposure before its collapse.
The NGSJF argues that the Menzgold experience should have produced a stronger culture of due diligence before celebrities lend their names and platforms to businesses dealing with the public's money.
The Forum's question is therefore straightforward:
If stronger scrutiny and accountability had followed celebrity endorsements associated with the Menzgold/NAM1 saga, would it have discouraged other celebrities from promoting businesses that later become the subject of serious fraud allegations?
WHAT SHOULD DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS DO?
The Forum wants diplomatic missions to observe not only the allegations concerning the visa business but also how Ghana's media and institutions respond to public-interest complaints involving influential personalities.
It is asking diplomatic missions to independently assess the documentary material and, where their laws and procedures permit, take appropriate preventive or regulatory measures.
authorities, and consider lawful visa restrictions or other appropriate measures against persons proven to have engaged in visa fraud.
The Forum stresses that diplomatic missions should not replace Ghanaian law-enforcement agencies or the courts, but should take preventive action within their legal mandates rather than waiting until more people become victims. such sanctioning the big fish or the organisation so as to prevent it before it happens through warnings
WHAT SHOULD DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS DO?
The New Ghana Social Justice Forum is urging diplomatic missions in Accra to be proactive in protecting visa applicants, expressing concerns about whether local law-enforcement processes always provide timely justice for victims of visa fraud.
The Forum calls on diplomatic missions to independently review credible complaints and documentary evidence, strengthen public education on official visa procedures, issue timely warnings about verified fraudulent operators, share relevant information with competent authorities, and consider lawful sanctions against individuals or organisations proven to be involved in visa fraud.
The Forum believes that sanctioning major offenders and publicly warning the public about verified fraudulent operators can help prevent further victims before fraud occurs, rather than waiting until large numbers of people have lost their money.
The Forum stresses that, given concerns about the effectiveness and timeliness of local law-enforcement and judicial processes, diplomatic missions should not rely solely on Ghanaian law-enforcement agencies or the courts. Instead, they should use every lawful preventive measure within their mandates to protect visa applicants, sanction proven offenders where legally permitted, and safeguard the integrity of their visa systems.
FROM MEDIA SILENCE TO ALTERNATIVE GHANA NEWS
The NGSJF says the experience has also become a lesson for the organisation itself.
According to President Yahaya Alhassan, if legitimate public-interest concerns can struggle to receive independent media attention because of the influence or connections of persons involved, civil society must develop alternative ways of communicating with the public.
The Forum therefore intends to strengthen its advocacy for alternative and independent Ghanaian news platforms capable of publishing public-interest stories while maintaining journalistic standards of fairness, verification and accountability.
The objective, it says, is not to attack established media houses or replace professional journalism.
Rather, the Forum wants to create additional platforms through which citizens, and civil-society organisations can raise legitimate concerns and allow the public to examine the evidence for itself.
A MESSAGE TO DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
The NGSJF says its decision to share the story with diplomatic missions and international organisations is intended to encourage a broader conversation about visa fraud prevention, media independence and celebrity accountability.
The Forum is urging diplomatic missions in Accra to independently review the material accompanying its petition and “do the needful” within their respective legal and administrative mandates.
It says diplomatic missions should not wait until victims have lost substantial sums before taking preventive measures.
The Forum is also calling on international organisations working on migration, consumer protection, anti-fraud and good governance to support stronger public education on legitimate visa procedures. The New Ghana Social Justice Forum says the reported “Best Travel and Tour” award presented to Central Migration Grace by Corporate People’s Choice raises legitimate questions about due diligence and the credibility of corporate awards. The Forum therefore calls for greater transparency, proper background checks and accountability from award organisers, particularly when recognising businesses that handle the public’s money.
If the media cannot independently scrutinise allegations involving influential celebrities, who will protect the ordinary Ghanaian?
Find the Documentary evidence link