Gov’t Should Have Anticipated Partey Visa Trouble — Asafo-Adjei Ayeh Fires

Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, has taken a swipe at government over what he describes as poor anticipation and planning in the lead-up to Thomas Partey’s failed attempt to enter Canada for Ghana’s crucial World Cup qualifier.

Partey is expected to miss the Black Stars’ Group L clash against Panama in Toronto on June 17 after Canadian authorities rejected his visa application — a decision the Ghanaian government has formally protested.

Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Saturday, June 13, 2026, the Bosome Freho MP said the situation should never have occurred, given the midfielder’s well‑known legal circumstances in the UK.

“So, it is so disappointing to hear the Canadian authorities take such an action,” he lamented. “This action will go a very long way to deprive Ghana of some successes we want to make in the world.”

According to him, the warning signs were clear, and both government officials and football authorities should have acted earlier.

“As a country, we should have anticipated something like this,” he stressed. “One of our star players has had issues with the UK — an international issue being dragged all over — and this very important player has been selected to play.”

While refraining from directly accusing officials of negligence, Asafo-Adjei Ayeh insisted the state failed to take the necessary precautions.

“I would not use the word negligent, but I would say they should have anticipated it. You have a player who has had international issues, court charges and all of that. You need him in your team, and you must make sure that this player is protected.”

He argued that Ghana’s diplomatic machinery should have been more proactive, especially after receiving protest notices that hinted at possible complications.

“The job of the Minister of Foreign Affairs is also to ensure that all our players have what it takes to be in the country,” he said. “Particularly when the protest notice was given, it should have alerted authorities that extra care was needed.”

The MP noted that Ghana’s missions abroad routinely support national teams during international competitions and questioned why similar efforts were not deployed in Partey’s case.

“For you to come and tell us that you’re going to pursue this diplomatically — this is what we already know,” he said. “What will be disappointing to everybody is if we fail as a country to use the diplomatic ties we have to get Thomas Partey to Canada.”

FIFA has clarified that Partey’s inability to travel is solely the result of Canada’s immigration decision — a matter outside the governing body’s control.

Despite the setback, Asafo-Adjei Ayeh urged authorities to intensify engagement with Canadian officials in hopes of securing Partey’s entry before the match.

“We have other tools and other things to use,” he said. “We should do everything we can to ensure that he gets to where he is supposed to get to.”

Partey’s absence would be a major blow to Ghana as the Black Stars prepare for a key group-stage encounter against Panama.