Sports Minister Mustapha Yusif has slammed the Norwegian Embassy in Ghana for inadequate oversight in the application process for Ghanaians who entered Norway under false pretenses as Paralympic athletes.
This criticism follows reports that nine out of an 11-member Ghanaian Para-athlete team went missing upon arriving in Oslo for the Bergen Marathon this year.
A statement from the Ministry of National Security, addressed to the Sports Ministry and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, revealed that one para-athlete, Nana Antwi, has been detained by Norwegian authorities.
Additionally, the team’s coach, George Gyamfi Gyasi, died shortly after collapsing and being admitted to Oslo University Hospital on April 28, 2024.
The National Paralympic Committee has suspended three individuals believed to be involved in the incident.
The Minority is demanding an investigation into the matter. North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has claimed that the team did not officially register for the marathon, suggesting they had no intention of participating.
He also pointed out that the team’s ability to breach protocols and bypass institutions indicates that there may be more to the situation than is currently known.
“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.
Responding to a question at a news conference in Accra about whether or not he takes responsibility for the latest scandal, Mustapha Yussif indicated that “the Norwegian authority which issued the Visas to the Athletes didn’t see it prudent to even verify from the ministry to see whether these are genuine athletes or not so to your question whether I take responsibility, I’m sorry I can’t.”
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