The Government of Ghana has formally protested against Canada’s decision to deny a temporary residence visa to Black Stars midfielder Thomas Teye Partey ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It described the move as unfair and inconsistent with the principle of the presumption of innocence.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday said the Government had expressed “strong reservations” about the decision by Canadian immigration authorities to refuse Mr. Partey’s temporary residence application.
According to the statement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) based its decision on inadmissibility provisions under paragraph A36(1)(c) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
The Government noted that the decision was linked to ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom which had 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 statement said.
While acknowledging Canada’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, the Government argued that relying on unproven allegations in the absence of a judicial determination raised concerns about fairness and proportionality.
As part of efforts to seek a review of the decision, Ghana has initiated diplomatic engagements with Canadian authorities.
The Foreign Ministry disclosed that it sent an official note of protest to Global Affairs Canada on June 11, requesting a reconsideration of the visa refusal.
The Government indicated its readiness to pursue all available diplomatic, legal and administrative avenues under Canadian and international law, including the possibility of seeking judicial review before the Federal Court of Canada, to ensure a fair assessment of the case.
The statement said Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had also been engaging Canadian officials, including the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ms Myriam Montrat, since the issue came to his attention.
Government noted that Mr. Partey’s selection for Ghana’s squad at the FIFA World Cup carried significant national and international sporting implications and urged Canada to rescind its decision in the interest of fairness and the principles of common law.
It reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to constructive dialogue, respect for the rule of law, human rights and due process.
It expressed optimism that the longstanding cordial relations between Ghana and Canada would facilitate an amicable resolution.
The Ministry also expressed hope that the spirit of football, which promoted unity, friendship and fair play among nations, would guide efforts to resolve the matter.
Canada is one of the host nations of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside the United States and Mexico.
The tournament is expected to be the largest in FIFA history, featuring 48 national teams.
Thomas Partey, one of Ghana’s most experienced footballers, has been a key figure in the Black Stars setup for nearly a decade and played an instrumental role in the team’s qualification campaign for the tournament.
Ghana and Canada have maintained strong bilateral relations over the years, cooperating in areas such as trade, education, development assistance and governance.
Source: GNA
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