Ghana has barely 48 hours to get Thomas Partey into Canada for the World Cup — and the government is pulling every diplomatic string it can find.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed on Monday that Canada has denied the Black Stars deputy captain entry because of criminal charges pending against him in the United Kingdom. Partey hasn't been convicted of anything, but Canadian immigration authorities reportedly used the charges to refuse his visa anyway.

"I can confirm to you that the Government of Ghana continues to engage diplomatically with Canadian authorities," Ablakwa told journalists in Accra. "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."

Ablakwa said Ghana views the decision as "high-handed and rather unfortunate" and has formally asked Canada to reconsider. He stressed that Partey wasn't travelling for personal reasons — he was coming to represent the nation.

"Thomas Partey was not entering Canada on a frolic of his own. He's the Deputy Captain of our national team; he adorns our national colours; he wears Ghana's jacket, and he was going to carry out an assignment on our behalf, on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana," Ablakwa said.

The minister argued that Canada's position seems inconsistent. Partey still holds a valid UK visa despite the charges there. He also has a valid US visa and is currently with the Black Stars squad in the United States preparing for the tournament.

"We are strengthened in our resolve that even in the country where he faces those charges, they continue to issue him visas," Ablakwa said. "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."

Ablakwa described Canada's different approach as "quite strange," especially given the legal principle that people are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The government is relying on more than a century of diplomatic ties between Ghana and Canada. "We hold Canada in high esteem and we know that they have enormous respect for us as well," Ablakwa said. "Our bilateral relations have been growing in leaps and bounds, and we don't want this matter, the inadmissibility of Thomas Partey, to undermine our relations."

Beyond direct diplomacy, Ablakwa revealed that Ghana is exploring "other pathways" but declined to give details. "What I can say is that all strategies are being explored and pursued very actively," he said.

President John Dramani Mahama is personally following the situation and has instructed officials to pursue every legitimate avenue, Ablakwa disclosed.

Ghana opens its World Cup campaign against Panama on Wednesday, June 17. Partey, 33, is one of the team's most experienced players and a key figure in midfield. His absence would be a major blow to the Black Stars' chances.

  • Thomas Partey is deputy captain of the Black Stars
  • He faces criminal charges in the UK but hasn't been convicted
  • Canada denied his visa based on those charges
  • Ghana opens World Cup vs Panama on June 17
  • Foreign Minister Ablakwa spoke directly with Canada's Global Affairs Minister Anita Anand
  • Partey holds valid UK and US visas
  • Ghana-Canada diplomatic relations span over 100 years