Partey visa ban: We are racing against time – Ablakwa reveals barely 48hrs to Ghana’s opener

The Government of Ghana has stepped up high-level diplomatic efforts to secure entry clearance for Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of Ghana’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama on Wednesday, June 17.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed that the government is actively engaging Canadian authorities in a bid to overturn the decision that has prevented the midfielder from travelling to Canada for the Group L encounter.

Speaking during a media engagement on Monday, Ablakwa confirmed that he had personally held discussions with Canada’s Minister for Global Affairs, Anita Anand, as Ghana races against time to resolve the matter.

“I can confirm that the Government of Ghana continues to engage diplomatically with Canadian authorities,” Ablakwa said.

“Only yesterday I held a telephone conversation with my counterpart, the Minister for Global Affairs Canada, Her Excellency Anita Anand, and we had a very frank, honest and cordial discussion.”

The minister described the visa refusal as unfortunate and said Ghana had formally appealed to the Canadian government to reconsider its position, while acknowledging Canada’s sovereign right to determine who enters its territory.

“We take the view that the decision was high-handed and rather unfortunate, and we are appealing to the Government of Canada to review their decision,” he added.

The visa denial is reportedly linked to criminal charges currently pending against Partey in the United Kingdom. Canadian immigration authorities are understood to have relied on those charges in refusing entry, despite the fact that the Ghana international has not been convicted and has pleaded not guilty to all allegations.

Ablakwa argued that Partey’s circumstances were unique because he was travelling to Canada as an official representative of Ghana at the World Cup.

“Thomas Partey was not entering Canada on a frolic of his own. He is the Deputy Captain of our national team, he adorns our national colours, and he was going to carry out an assignment on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana,” he explained.

According to the minister, Ghana’s intervention is based on Partey’s role as a national representative rather than personal considerations.

He also stressed the importance of the longstanding relationship between Ghana and Canada, expressing hope that the issue would not negatively affect bilateral ties.

“We hold Canada in high esteem and we know that they have enormous respect for us as well. Our bilateral relations have been growing in leaps and bounds, and we do not want this matter, the inadmissibility of Thomas Partey, to undermine our relations,” he said.

Ablakwa disclosed that the government is exploring several avenues beyond direct diplomatic engagement but declined to reveal specific details.

“We are utilising the diplomatic path, engaging actively behind closed doors, and we also are adopting other pathways, which at this point I do not want to divulge,” he stated.

“What I can say is that all strategies are being explored and pursued very actively.”

With less than 48 hours before Ghana’s opening match, the Foreign Affairs Minister admitted that time is running short but remained optimistic that a breakthrough could still be achieved.

“We know that we are racing against time. It is about 48 hours to go before the match, and we believe that looking at the nature of the engagements, the frequency and the high-level discussions that are going on, we hopefully should have a positive outcome,” he said.

Ablakwa also questioned the consistency of Canada’s position, pointing out that Partey continues to travel internationally despite the ongoing legal proceedings.

“We are strengthened in our resolve that even in the country where he faces those charges, they continue to issue him visas,” he noted.

“He has valid visas to the United Kingdom. He has been issued a valid visa to the United States, and that is why, as we speak, he is part of the Black Stars’ campaign arrangements in the United States of America.”

The minister described it as unusual that Canada had adopted a different approach, particularly given the legal principle that individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The controversy has generated widespread debate among football fans and legal observers, with many concerned about the impact Partey’s absence could have on Ghana’s World Cup ambitions.

As one of the team’s most experienced players and a key figure in midfield, Partey is expected to play a crucial role in Ghana’s campaign should he become eligible to participate.

Ablakwa further revealed that President John Dramani Mahama is personally monitoring the situation and has directed government officials to pursue every legitimate option available.

“The Foreign Ministry has not taken this matter lightly; the Government of Ghana is not taking this matter lightly, and on the President’s instruction, we have been working assiduously to ensure that an amicable resolution is reached,” he said.

The minister also urged Ghanaians to continue supporting the national team despite the uncertainty surrounding Partey’s availability.

“We hope that these challenges will not demoralise the team and will not affect morale, that they will keep their heads up, and know that the entire nation of Ghana is strongly behind them.”

He also disclosed that Canada’s newly appointed ambassador presented her credentials to President Mahama earlier in the day, during which the Ghanaian leader expressed confidence in the Black Stars’ chances at the tournament.

“President Mahama told her that the Black Stars will have a nice surprise from Panama,” Ablakwa revealed.

With Ghana’s World Cup opener fast approaching, diplomatic efforts remain ongoing as officials seek a last-minute resolution that could allow Partey to join the squad for the highly anticipated clash against Panama.