The government of Ghana has intensified high-level diplomatic engagements with Canada in a race against time to secure entry clearance for Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey ahea
The report indicates that the government of Ghana has intensified high-level diplomatic engagements with Canada in a race against time to secure entry clearance for Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of Ghana’s opening match against Panama at the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, June 17.
It further notes that foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated on Monday, June 15, that the government was actively pursuing multiple diplomatic channels to persuade Canadian authorities to review their decision to deny the Black Stars talisman.
Speaking at a media engagement, Mr Ablakwa confirmed that he had personally held discussions with Canada’s Minister for Global Affairs, Anita Anand, as efforts continued to resolve the matter before Ghana’s crucial Group-stage encounter.
“I can confirm to you that the Government of Ghana continues to engage diplomatically with Canadian authorities,” Mr Ablakwa stated.
“Only yesterday I held a telephone conversation with my counterpart, the Minister for Global Affairs Canada, Her Excellency Anita Anand, and we had a very frank, honest and cordial discussion.”
The minister stated Ghana viewed the development as unfortunate and had formally communicated its concerns to the Canadian government while respecting Canada’s sovereign right to determine who enters its territory.
“We take the view that the decision was high-handed and was rather unfortunate, and we are appealing to the Government of Canada to review their decision,” he said.
The visa denial stems from criminal charges currently pending against Partey in the United Kingdom. Canadian immigration authorities reportedly relied on those charges in refusing the player entry into the country, despite the fact that no conviction has been secured against him.
Mr Ablakwa argued that the circumstances surrounding Partey’s intended visit to Canada made the situation exceptional.
“Thomas Partey was not entering Canada on a frolic of his own. He’s the Deputy Captain of our national team; he adorns our national colours; he wears Ghana’s jacket, and he was going to carry out an assignment on our behalf, on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana,” he explained.
The minister emphasised that Ghana’s intervention was motivated by the player’s role as a representative of the nation rather than purely personal considerations.
According to him, the government was relying heavily on the longstanding diplomatic ties between Ghana and Canada, which span more than a century.
“We hold Canada in high esteem and we know that they have enormous respect for us as well. Our bilateral relations have been growing in leaps and bounds, and we do not want this matter, the inadmissibility of Thomas Partey, to undermine our relations,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa indicated that Ghana was exploring additional avenues beyond direct diplomatic engagements but declined to disclose details.
