The government of Ghana has intensified high-level diplomatic talks with Canadian authorities in a bid to secure entry clearance for Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey, less than 48 hours before the team’s FIFA World Cup opening match against Panama on Wednesday, June 17.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed on Monday, June 15, that the state is actively pursuing multiple diplomatic channels to convince Canada to review its decision to deny the team’s talisman entry. Speaking during a media engagement, Ablakwa confirmed he has personally held discussions with Canada’s Minister for Global Affairs, Anita Anand, to resolve the matter before the 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 visa refusal stems from pending criminal charges against Partey in the United Kingdom. Canadian immigration authorities reportedly based their decision on these active charges, despite the fact that the player has not been convicted of any crime.
While noting that Ghana respects Canada’s sovereign right to regulate its borders, Ablakwa stated that the Ghanaian government views the decision as unfortunate and has formally raised its concerns.
“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.
Ablakwa argued that the circumstances are exceptional because Partey is traveling as a national representative rather than a private citizen.
“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 Foreign Affairs Minister emphasized that Ghana is leaning on its century-long bilateral relationship with Canada to help resolve the impasse.
“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.
Ablakwa added that Ghana is exploring other alternative pathways behind closed doors but chose not to disclose specific details.
“We are utilising the diplomatic path, engaging actively behind closed doors, and we also are adopting other pathways, which at this point I do not want to divulge,” he stated. “What I can say is that all strategies are being explored and pursued very actively.”
Acknowledging the tight window before Wednesday’s kickoff, Ablakwa remained optimistic about a potential breakthrough.
“We know that we are racing against time. It is about 48 hours to go before the match, and we believe that looking at the nature of the engagements, the frequency and the high-level discussions that are going on, we hopefully should have a positive outcome,” he said.
He further questioned the consistency of the denial, pointing out that the deputy captain continues to travel freely to other nations, including the UK and the United States, despite the ongoing legal proceedings.
“We are strengthened in our resolve that even in the country where he faces those charges, they continue to issue him visas,” he said. “He has valid visas to the United Kingdom. He has been issued a valid visa to the United States, and that is why, as we speak, he is part of the Black Stars’ campaign arrangements in the United States of America.”
Ablakwa described Canada’s stance as “quite strange” given the standard legal presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
The standoff has triggered widespread public debate regarding how the midfielder’s potential absence might impact the Black Stars’ tournament prospects. Ablakwa disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama is personally monitoring the situation and has ordered officials to utilize every legitimate avenue to find an amicable resolution.
“The Foreign Ministry has not taken this matter lightly; the Government of Ghana is not taking this matter lightly, and on the President’s instruction, we have been working assiduously to ensure that an amicable resolution is reached,” he said.
The minister also called on Ghanaians to rally behind the national team to keep their morale high amid the uncertainty surrounding their key midfielder.
“We hope that these challenges will not demoralise the team and will not affect morale, that they will keep their heads up, and know that the entire nation of Ghana is strongly behind them,” he stated.
In a related development, Canada’s newly appointed ambassador to Ghana presented her credentials to President Mahama earlier on Monday. During the meeting, the President expressed absolute confidence in the team’s upcoming match.
“President Mahama told her that the Black Stars will have a nice surprise from Panama,” Ablakwa disclosed.