Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Ibrahim Sannie Daara has called on President John Dramani Mahama to help resolve Thomas Partey’s visa problem.
As Ghana prepare to play Panama in their opening World Cup match on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, it was revealed that the midfielder was denied a Canadian visa because of rape charges he is currently facing. He is challenging the decision in court.
Sannie praised the government’s efforts to try and reverse the decision, despite the difficult nature of the case.
Speaking in an interview with Kafui Dey, he urged the president to do more to help Partey get a visa so he can play in the opening match.
“I’ve seen that the foreign minister of Ghana has made a pronouncement, and I think they should continue to engage the Canadian authorities to ensure that at least they give him the visa, even if it’s a 24-hour or 48-hour visa. Play the game and go back. If necessary, the president of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, must also join in this case and fight for a Ghanaian who has not been convicted of any crime, and stand up for him,” he said.
Sannie Daara said the decision was unfair because the player has not been found guilty of any crime despite the criticism he has faced.
The former GFA official said the visa refusal seemed to treat the player as if he had already been judged guilty in the eyes of the public, which he believes is bad for the sport.
“Number one, the alleged crime did not take place in your country. Number two, he’s there to play in a global competition that the world is watching. And number three, most importantly, he has not been found guilty. So it’s just like saying he’s already guilty before the matter is decided.
“It is sad that some people might even take it as fact. When you take a decision like that, would you not say it influences the judges on the case? It looks like you’ve already hanged him before the matter is decided,” he added.
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