Ghana’s government has announced its intention to seek a formal review after Canadian authorities denied entry to midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This incident has raised concerns amidst the ongoing legal challenges faced by the player.
Partey, currently training with the Black Stars in Boston, has been charged by London’s Metropolitan Police with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty. His inability to enter Canada means he will miss Ghana’s first match in the World Cup, escalating diplomatic tensions for the West African nation.
On Friday, Ghana’s Sports Minister Kofi Adams confirmed that the government is actively engaging with the relevant authorities in Canada. He emphasized the commitment to push for a review of the border entry decision, highlighting its implications on international laws to which both Ghana and Canada are signatories.
“If any Ghanaian is touched anywhere, we will not keep quiet over it,” Sports Minister Kofi Adams told local station Channel One TV on Friday. “Through the appropriate channels, we have communicated to the rightful authorities and are requesting for them to use all processes to review and give opportunity for a review of such a decision that we think frowns on international laws and conventions, which both Ghana and Canada are party to.
“We think it’s appropriate to get the appropriate authorities to review this decision,” he added. “We’ve taken it to that level, and we hope and pray that they do what they must do.”