Omanghana
Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh, Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, has called on the Ghanaian government to pursue direct, high-level diplomatic engagement with Canadian authorities in an effort to resolve the visa issues preventing Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey from entering Canada for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking on News Digest on Citi FM, Ayeh argued that while Canada has the sovereign authority to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana should exhaust every available diplomatic avenue to secure Partey’s participation in the national team’s opening Group L match against Panama.
Call for Quiet Diplomacy Over Public Statements
According to Ayeh, sensitive international disputes of this nature are more likely to be resolved through behind-the-scenes negotiations than through public criticism or press releases.
He cautioned that openly condemning Canadian authorities could make the situation unnecessarily adversarial and reduce the likelihood of reaching a mutually acceptable solution.
Instead, the lawmaker advocated for direct engagement between senior officials from both governments, suggesting that high-level diplomatic discussions could provide the best opportunity for obtaining a temporary accommodation before Ghana’s opening fixture.
“Every Option Must Be Explored”
With the FIFA World Cup representing one of the most significant sporting events on the global calendar, Ayeh stressed that Ghana cannot afford to abandon efforts after an initial visa refusal.
He urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue pressing the matter and to use all available diplomatic channels to seek a reconsideration of the decision.
“The stakes are too high for Ghana to simply accept the first outcome without pursuing every legitimate avenue for review,” he suggested during his remarks.
While acknowledging Canada’s right to regulate entry into its territory, Ayeh maintained that Ghana’s appeal should emphasize the legal principle that Partey has not been convicted of any criminal offence.
The midfielder is facing ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom and has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. Ghanaian officials and supporters advocating for his participation argue that the absence of a judicial finding of guilt should weigh heavily in any reassessment of his admissibility.
Ayeh contended that fairness and proportionality should remain at the heart of discussions between the two governments.
The comments come as the Ghanaian government intensifies efforts to overturn the visa decision.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with Sports Minister Kofi Adams, has formally communicated Ghana’s dissatisfaction with the refusal to Canadian counterparts while requesting that the matter be reviewed as a priority.
Officials have reportedly submitted a petition urging Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to reconsider the decision under an accelerated process, given the time-sensitive nature of the World Cup.
In parallel, Ghana is said to be exploring potential legal options aimed at challenging the proportionality of denying entry based on allegations that have not resulted in a conviction.
Despite these efforts, Ghana had not received an official response from Canadian authorities at the time of reporting, leaving uncertainty over Partey’s availability for the Black Stars’ tournament opener.
Time is becoming an increasingly significant factor, with Ghana scheduled to face Panama on Wednesday, June 17, at Toronto’s BMO Field.
The lack of clarity has also created tactical challenges for the national team’s coaching staff, who must prepare for the possibility of competing without one of their most experienced midfielders.
With FIFA maintaining that visa matters fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of host nations, the world football governing body has indicated that it will not intervene in the dispute.
As a result, Ghana’s technical team is expected to finalize its preparations under the assumption that Partey may be unavailable for the match in Canada.
Should the visa issue remain unresolved, the midfielder is anticipated to stay at the team’s base camp in Rhode Island before potentially rejoining the squad for its subsequent Group L fixtures in the United States, including the match against England on June 23.
For now, Ghana’s hopes of having one of its key players available in Toronto rest on the outcome of ongoing diplomatic discussions and any last-minute review by Canadian immigration authorities.
Source: Omanghana
