The decision, which prevents the player from travelling from Ghana’s Team Base Camp in Boston, United States, to Canada for Wednesday’s fixture, has sparked diplomatic engagements between Accra and Ottawa, with Ghana describing the move as “high-handed and extremely unfair.”

In a statement issued yesterday, the Government said Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) based its decision on inadmissibility provisions under paragraph A36(1)(c) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), citing pending criminal proceedings involving the player in the United Kingdom.

According to the Government, the proceedings have not resulted in any conviction or judicial determination of guilt.

“The Government of Ghana reaffirms the fundamental legal principle of the presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of justice and due process in democratic societies,” the statement noted.

While acknowledging Canada’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, the Government argued that reliance on unresolved legal proceedings “raises fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality.”

As part of efforts to overturn the decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pursuing active diplomatic engagements with Canadian authorities. Government disclosed that on June 11, 2026, Ghana dispatched an official note of protest to Global Affairs Canada, requesting a review of the visa refusal.

The statement further revealed that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has held discussions with Canadian officials, including the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Myriam Montrat, since the issue emerged.

Government indicated that it is prepared to explore all available diplomatic, legal and administrative remedies under Canadian and international law, including, where necessary, seeking judicial review before the Federal Court of Canada.

Meanwhile, world football governing body FIFA confirmed that Partey would be unavailable for Ghana’s first game against Panama due to the visa refusal.

“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” FIFA said in a statement.

The organisation stressed that it plays no role in immigration decisions taken by host countries.

“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country,” it added.

Despite the setback, FIFA indicated that Partey remains eligible to feature in Ghana’s subsequent Group Stage matches against England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia, both of which will be played in the United States.

Government said it remained hopeful that Ghana’s longstanding bilateral relations with Canada and ongoing diplomatic efforts would lead to an amicable resolution of the matter.

It also urged Canadian authorities to reconsider their decision in the spirit of fairness, the rule of law and the presumption of innocence.

“May the beautiful game of football continue to live up to its reputation of uniting nations, forging lasting bonds of friendship, playing by the rules, and promoting fair play both on and off the field,” the statement concluded.

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The development was communicated through FIFA’s WhatsApp platform, indicating that the influential Ghanaian international would not be available for selection in Ghana’s opening World Cup encounter.

Partey’s absence is expected to deal a significant blow to the Black Stars, given his experience and central role in Ghana’s midfield setup. The 32-year-old has been a key figure for the national team over the years, often providing leadership, defensive cover and composure in the middle of the park.

Neither FIFA nor Ghana’s football authorities immediately provided details regarding the circumstances surrounding the denial of entry into Canada. The situation has, however, sparked concern among Ghanaian supporters, with many questioning how the setback could affect the team’s chances in the competition.

The Black Stars’ technical team may now be forced to reconsider its tactical approach and explore alternative options ahead of the crucial opening fixture.

As the World Cup gets underway, attention will be on the Ghana Football Association and FIFA for further clarification on the matter, as fans await official updates on Partey’s status for the remainder of the tournament.

Thomas Partey has earned nearly 100 caps for Ghana and remains one of the country’s most recognisable football exports. His unavailability for the tournament opener could represent one of the biggest selection headaches for the Black Stars as they seek to make a strong start on football’s grandest stage.

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Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the U.S. Embassy’s Freedom 250 celebration in Accra, Dr. Ayine described the visa figure as concrete evidence of a partnership built on human capital rather than transactions alone.

“I would like to commend the embassy here in Accra for their facilitative role in issuing more than 12,000 visas for our young people to enrol in colleges and universities in the United States,” Dr. Ayine said.

The Attorney-General disclosed that he was selected as a Fulbright Fellow in 2002 and granted a scholarship to study at Stanford Law School — an opportunity he described as life-changing and one for which he remains personally grateful to the U.S. government and people. The disclosure drew applause from guests, with Dr. Ayine noting that the Embassy’s role in opening such doors deserved recognition.

For Dr. Ayine, the 12,000 visas and his own Fulbright experience point to the same underlying dynamic: that the most durable outcomes of the Ghana-U.S. relationship are produced one scholarship, one classroom, and one career at a time.

Acting Chargé d’Affaires Rolf Olson, addressing guests earlier in the evening, situated this educational exchange within a broader picture of innovation-driven partnership. He pointed to the success of Zipline’s drone delivery network, which has completed over 800,000 medical deliveries in Ghana since 2019, saving an estimated 10,000 lives — including roughly 1,600 through the emergency transport of snake antivenom.

Mr. Olson framed such technology as proof that the partnership has moved beyond traditional aid. “As we greet this next phase of our partnership, we see enormous potential for U.S.-Ghana collaboration in commerce and emerging sectors, from digital technology to artificial intelligence, from advanced agriculture to cutting-edge energy techniques,” he said.

Dr. Ayine’s remarks suggest Accra sees the relationship through a complementary lens — one in which technological partnerships like Zipline matter not in isolation, but alongside the steady pipeline of Ghanaian talent moving through American institutions and returning, as he did, with skills and networks that shape the country’s leadership.

The remarks come as both governments seek to deepen cooperation in emerging sectors, with officials on both sides identifying technology, innovation, and human capital development as the priority areas for the next phase of bilateral engagement.

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The milestone was highlighted at the U.S. Embassy’s Freedom 250 celebration in Accra, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Addressing guests, the Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy, Rolf Olson, said the bilateral relationship had evolved beyond diplomacy into a partnership that impacts the daily lives of Ghanaians.

“Last year, we reached about US$4 billion in U.S.-Ghana bilateral trade in goods and services, but we know that number can grow,” he stated.

According to Mr. Olson, more than 100 American companies operate in Ghana, creating jobs, paying taxes and investing in sectors such as mining, technology, agriculture and hospitality.

Representing President John Dramani Mahama, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, described the trade figure as evidence of the strong economic ties between the two nations.

He noted that Ghana remained committed to creating a favourable environment for investment, citing recent efforts to restore macroeconomic stability and boost investor confidence.

Dr. Ayine also highlighted Ghana’s strategic position within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), inviting American businesses to explore opportunities in industrialisation and value addition.

The two countries are expected to deepen cooperation in emerging sectors including digital technology, artificial intelligence, energy and advanced agriculture, as they seek to build on the record trade performance.

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The Government of Ghana has approved the release of GH¢76,466,919.20 through the Ministry of Finance to support the Black Stars’ campaign at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The funds, according to a statement from the Jubilee House, are split into two components. The larger share, GH¢58,929,500.00 (equivalent to US$5 million), has been disbursed as an advance to cover preparation costs and group-stage expenses for the team’s participation in the tournament.

The remaining GH¢17,537,419.20 (equivalent to US$1.488 million) represents settlement of outstanding qualification bonuses owed to the players. Government noted that this payment fulfils the second half of a performance-based bonus agreement struck during the World Cup qualifying series, under which players had already received 50% of their entitlements during the qualifiers, with the balance tied to the team securing qualification.

In its statement, government described the release as evidence of its “steadfast” commitment to the Black Stars and to sports development nationally, and expressed hope that the funds would give the technical team and players the stability needed to focus on the tournament. It also called on Ghanaians to rally behind the team during the campaign.

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According to a circular signed by Dr. Francis Baah, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Agronomy and Quality Control, purchases for the 2026 Light Crop Season will commence on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

The producer price will remain at GH¢1,241.76 per 30-kilogram load for Grade I and II cocoa beans, and GH¢2,587.00 per 64-kilogram gross bag. A tonne of cocoa — equivalent to 16 bags — will continue to attract GH¢41,392.00.

COCOBOD says the decision underscores government’s commitment to protecting the incomes and livelihoods of cocoa farmers in the face of falling global prices. By holding the producer price steady, government aims to provide stability and confidence to farmers ahead of the new season.

The announcement has been communicated to key stakeholders across the cocoa industry, including Licensed Buying Companies, COCOBOD management, relevant ministries and other sector players, to ensure a smooth start to nationwide cocoa purchase.

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The conservation group said the incident, which occurred on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, endangered lives and destroyed public property, describing it as part of a recurring pattern of violence against frontline conservation workers across the country.

In a statement issued by A Rocha, it called for a swift and independent police investigation, stronger security for forestry personnel in high-risk areas, and greater transparency in the handling of such cases, warning that unresolved attacks weaken enforcement of environmental laws and embolden perpetrators of illegal logging and mining.

The group urged government agencies, traditional authorities, and citizens to support efforts to protect Ghana’s forests through lawful and peaceful means.

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In a Facebook statement issued Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said 228 of the affected nationals had already arrived in Ghana on Thursday, 11 June, with the remaining 99 scheduled to return the same day the statement was issued. The Ghanaian government provided buses and trucks to transport the returnees and their belongings free of charge.

According to the ministry, all 327 individuals had been residing in areas of Port Bouët targeted by the demolition exercise and lost both their accommodation and their means of livelihood as a result, leaving them stranded with no capacity to secure alternative housing in Côte d’Ivoire.

Compensation track remains open

The statement notes that Ivorian authorities have indicated willingness to compensate those affected by the demolitions. Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Abidjan has been tasked with continued coordination to ensure affected nationals actually receive any compensation promised — language that signals the matter is unresolved rather than concluded.

The ministry pledged to provide further updates “as appropriate,” a standard formulation that leaves the timeline for compensation, and the mechanism for disbursement, unspecified.

The ministry also thanked Ivorian authorities and unnamed “stakeholders” for cooperating with the repatriation.

This is the second major repatriation operation Ablakwa’s ministry has managed this month. Ghana has also been repatriating citizens from South Africa following xenophobic attacks, with the minister describing a separate evacuation of roughly 1,000 Ghanaians as fulfilment of the government’s pledge to protect citizens caught in violence abroad .

The Côte d’Ivoire operation differs in character — it stems from an administrative demolition exercise rather than targeted violence — but reflects a broader pattern of the ministry positioning diaspora protection as a policy priority.

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In the Facebook post, the Minister stated that the firearms were presented by the first batch of NAIMOS personnel to the Ministry of the Interior. He commended the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the NAIMOS team for their efforts in combating illegal mining.

The seized weapons, he disclosed, have since been handed over to the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons for documentation, marking, and eventual destruction, in line with legal requirements governing the disposal of illicit arms.

On the broader issue of equipment seized during anti-galamsey raids, including excavators, the Minister assured the public that such items would be handled transparently and according to due process, with details of seizures and follow-up actions to be made publicly available.

He also appealed to citizens, particularly in mining-affected communities, to continue cooperating with government and NAIMOS efforts, citing the environmental and public health risks posed by illegal mining to water bodies, farmlands, and livelihoods.

Newly deployed NAIMOS personnel were urged to operate with professionalism and integrity to build public trust and contribute to the broader objective of protecting Ghana’s natural resources.

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The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, disclosed this during a tour of the country’s two busiest border crossings at Elubo in the Western Region and Aflao in the Volta Region to assess Ghana’s preparedness against the deadly disease.

The visit follows reports of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo in mid-May, raising concerns about the risk of cross-border transmission within the region.

Dr. Ayensu-Danquah, a clinician and surgeon, assured health officials and border authorities that government would move swiftly to address identified challenges and strengthen the country’s response mechanisms.

She noted that President John Dramani Mahama had directed the Ministry of Health to ensure that Ghana remains fully prepared to respond to any potential outbreak.

“As a government, it is our duty to ensure that our country and citizens are safe, and that is exactly what we are doing by assessing our response mechanisms to this deadly disease,” she said.

The deputy minister’s inspection forms part of broader government efforts to reinforce disease surveillance and emergency response capacity amid increasing regional health risks.

The World Health Organization (WHO) in May classified the Ebola outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, noting that the need for countries to strengthen preventive measures and preparedness systems.

At both the Aflao and Elubo border posts, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah met with border security personnel, port health officials and local authorities to evaluate screening procedures, isolation facilities and inter-agency coordination systems designed to detect and contain suspected Ebola cases.

Briefings from health officials indicated that screening, surveillance and isolation protocols were already operational, placing Ghana in a strong position to respond to any imported case.

However, officials also highlighted several challenges, including inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), limited staffing levels and deteriorating infrastructure that had been established during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah pledged immediate government intervention, revealing plans to establish modern and fully equipped border health facilities while increasing investments in personnel, logistics and essential medical supplies.

“The government remains committed to ensuring robust surveillance, screening and response mechanisms are in place to protect the health and safety of Ghanaians,” she stated during inspections of screening points, isolation centres and municipal health facilities.

The tour reflects the Mahama administration’s broader commitment to strengthening national health security, particularly at border points where trade and human movement increase the risk of disease importation.

President Mahama has identified investments in primary healthcare, disease surveillance and frontline health infrastructure as key priorities of his administration.

As part of these efforts, government has introduced flagship initiatives such as the Mahama Cares Programme and the Free Primary Healthcare Policy, while continuing to retool health facilities and enhance the capacity of health workers across the country.

Beyond assessing infrastructure, the deputy minister’s visit also sought to improve collaboration among key agencies, including the Ghana Immigration Service, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and regional health directorates, while identifying training and resource needs to bolster emergency response capacity.

The government says these measures are aimed at ensuring Ghana remains vigilant and well-prepared to prevent and respond effectively to any potential Ebola outbreak.

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