The Government of Ghana has formally protested Canada’s decision to deny a temporary residence visa to Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey and is pursuing diplomatic and legal measures to have the decision reviewed.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 13, 2026, the government described the decision as “high-handed and extremely unfair.”
The development follows a decision by Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Department to deny entry to the Black Stars vice-captain under Paragraph A36(1)(c) of the country’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
According to the Ghanaian government, the decision appears to be based on ongoing criminal proceedings involving Thomas Partey in the United Kingdom, despite the absence of any conviction or judicial finding of guilt.
The government argued that the action undermines the principle of presumption of innocence, which remains a fundamental aspect of justice and due process in democratic societies.
Officials say they are engaging Canadian authorities through diplomatic channels while also exploring legal options to seek a review of the decision ahead of Ghana’s opening match against Panama on June 17.
The government maintains that decisions affecting international travel should be guided by established legal principles and not allegations that have yet to be proven in court.
