The Minister of Sports, Kofi Adams, has revealed that government has contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other key agencies to challenge Canada’s move to block midfielder Thomas Partey from entering the country before the Black Stars’ first game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Partey is set to sit out Ghana’s Group L tie with Panama on June 17 in Toronto after Canadian officials allegedly turned down his visa request. FIFA has stated that the player will not be able to fly from Ghana’s US training camp to Canada for the match, stressing that immigration matters rest entirely with host nations and are outside its authority.
Speaking on the matter on Friday, June 12, MrvAdams said diplomatic steps were already underway to push for a reversal.
“As has been indicated by His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, and the mandate through his Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, that any Ghanaian touched anywhere, we will not keep quiet over it. Through the appropriate channels, we have communicated to the rightful authorities and are requesting them to review the decision. I hope and pray that they do what they must do, and do it right,” he said.
Mr. Adams maintained that the action breaches international agreements binding on both Ghana and Canada and said he was optimistic Ottawa would rethink its position.
He called the grounds for the refusal “flimsy,” pointing out that Partey faces charges in a court case but has not been convicted.
“We got a decision that he had been denied entry to Canada on very flimsy reasons. I say flimsy because the person had already been charged. He has not been found guilty,” Mr Adams said.
He added that Partey still resides and plays in the country where the alleged incident happened, and questioned why Canada would adopt a tougher approach.
“One is therefore surprised that Canada, which is so far away, will now apply rules to the extent that where somebody has just been merely charged, that person has been deemed guilty,” he added.
The situation means Ghana may start its World Cup campaign without one of its star midfielders unless Canadian officials overturn the ruling before kickoff.
