Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh, has urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intensify diplomatic engagement with Canadian authorities to secure entry for Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of Ghana’s crucial clash against Panama.
His comments follow the Government of Ghana’s formal protest against Canada’s decision to deny Partey a temporary residence visa for the tournament. The government has described the decision as unfair and has announced plans to pursue diplomatic and legal channels to seek a review.
Speaking on News Digest on Citi FM on Saturday, June 13, Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh argued that while Canada has the sovereign right to determine who enters its territory, Ghana must exhaust all available diplomatic options to ensure the player joins the national team.
According to him, the focus should be on resolving the issue through diplomatic engagement rather than public statements, stressing that Ghanaians are more interested in seeing Partey available for selection than reading official press releases.
“We need Thomas Partey in Canada, not press releases,” he stated, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should leverage the country’s diplomatic relations and influence to secure a favourable outcome.
Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh further warned that Partey’s absence could significantly affect Ghana’s chances in the competition, particularly against Panama, which he described as the most favourable opponent in a difficult group that also includes England and Croatia.
He stressed that securing maximum points against Panama could prove decisive in Ghana’s quest to progress beyond the group stage, making Partey’s availability an important consideration for the team.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that it had formally protested Canada’s decision to deny the Black Stars midfielder a visa. The ministry described the move as “high-handed and extremely unfair,” arguing that the decision was based on pending criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom that have not resulted in a conviction or any judicial finding of guilt.
Government says it is continuing diplomatic and legal efforts aimed at securing a review of the decision before Ghana’s opening match against Panama on June 17.
