Minority demand probe into para-athletic visa scandal

The Minority Members of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee are demanding an immediate inquiry into the latest Norwegian Para-Athletic visa scandal.

This comes after reports that nine out of an 11-member team of Ghanaian para-athletes went missing upon their arrival in Oslo for the Bergen Marathon.

According to a statement from the Ministry of National Security, one para-athlete, Nana Antwi, has been detained by Norwegian authorities, while the coach of the ‘team’, George Gyamfi Gyasi, met his untimely death shortly after being admitted to the Oslo University Hospital after collapsing on April 28, 2024.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports also said it is actively working with relevant authorities to investigate the issue, insisting it had no knowledge of the team’s participation.

Read also: We’re unaware of Paralympic team’s participation in any Oslo marathon – Sports Ministry
Already, the National Paralympic Committee has suspended three individuals who are being accused of masterminding the incident.

However, the Minority is insisting that a probe be conducted into the incident that led to such an occurrence.

North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa insists the team did not even register for the event, which means they had no intention of participating in the game.

He adds that for the team to be able to break protocols and bypass institutions implies that there was more to the deal than what meets the eye.

Read also: NPC suspends officials for faking documents for absconded para-athletes
“Diplomatic envoys or foreign service staff have questions to answer. They did not even register for the game. They had no intention to participate in the game,” he said.

President of the National Paralympic Committee Samson Deen claims his signature was forged.

“We engaged, we checked and we realised that the letter was written, they forged my signature, forged my letter and applied for visas for some people who are not athletes,” he said.

Touching on these comments, the legislator asked how these individuals obtained his letterhead and forged his signature without any assistance.

Mr Ablakwa said that in order to repair Ghana’s image in the international market, there must be a probe.

“Clearly, there ought to be a probe and let the probe be transparent, let’s issue a report, let’s carry out institutional reforms so that it will send a very convincing message to international partners,” he added.