Ghana calls on Canada to reverse Thomas Partey’s visa refusal

The Government of Ghana has formally protested Canada’s decision to deny a temporary residence visa to Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey and is pursuing diplomatic and legal avenues to have the decision reviewed ahead of Ghana’s first game against Panama on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

In a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, June 13, 2026, the government described the decision by Canadian authorities as “high-handed and extremely unfair,” arguing that it was based on pending criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom that have not resulted in any conviction or judicial finding of guilt.

This comes after the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) denied the assistant Black Star captain entry into Canada, under Paragraph A36(1)(c) of the country’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) as the basis for rejecting Partey’s application.

But the government stressed that the decision appears to rely on unproven allegations and violates the principle of the presumption of innocence, which it described as a cornerstone of justice and due process in democratic societies.

“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,” the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry disclosed that Ghana has already begun active diplomatic engagements with Canadian authorities over the matter.

It revealed that on June 11, 2026, the ministry sent an official note of protest to Global Affairs Canada and requested a review of the decision.

The government further indicated that it was prepared to pursue all available diplomatic, legal and administrative remedies under Canadian and international law, including, where necessary, seeking judicial review before the Federal Court of Canada.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has also been holding discussions with Canadian officials, including Canada’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Myriam Montrat, since the matter came to the government’s attention.

The statement noted that Partey’s selection for Ghana’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup carries significant national and international sporting implications and urged Canada to rescind its decision in the interest of fairness and the principles of common law.

“Ghana remains committed to constructive engagements with Canadian authorities and to upholding the rule of law, human rights, and the presumption of innocence,” the ministry stated.

The government expressed hope that the issue could be resolved amicably through diplomatic channels, citing the longstanding cordial relations between Ghana and Canada.