The Government of Ghana has launched a formal diplomatic protest against Canada following the decision to deny an entry visa to senior national football team star Thomas Teye Partey ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong reservations over the ruling by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), characterising it as a “high-handed and extremely unfair decision”.
The visa refusal sidelines a key member of the Black Stars squad just as the country participates in the tournament.
According to the official statement, Canada’s immigration authority arrived at this outcome on grounds of inadmissibility under paragraph A36(1)(c) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
The decision is understood to be based on pending criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom that have not resulted in any conviction or judicial finding of guilt.
“The Government of Ghana reaffirms the fundamental legal principle of the presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of justice and due process in democratic societies,” the Ministry stated. While respecting Canada’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana considers that “reliance on unproven charges in the absence of a judicial determination raises fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality”.
In response, Ghana is pursuing active diplomatic engagements with the relevant Canadian authorities on this matter. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has additionally been holding talks with Canadian officials, including the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Myriam Montrat, since the issue came to his attention. A formal note of protest was dispatched to Global Affairs Canada on June 11, 2026, requesting that Canada reviews its “unfortunate decision”.
The Government of Ghana stated it is determined to explore and pursue all available diplomatic, legal, and administrative remedies under Canadian and international law. This includes, where appropriate, a judicial review before the Federal Court of Canada to ensure full and fair consideration of all relevant legal and factual issues.
Highlighting Mr. Partey’s selection for the FIFA World Cup and the “significant national and global sporting considerations at stake,” the government urged Canada to rescind its decision in the interest of fairness and cardinal principles of common law.
The Ministry concluded with a hope that diplomatic rapprochement would lead to an amicable resolution in a timely manner, allowing the game of football to continue “uniting nations, forging lasting bonds of friendship, playing by the rules, and promoting fair play both on and off the field”.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
