The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Minority Members of Parliament are calling for an urgent investigation into the recent Norwegian Para-Athletic visa scandal.
Reports have surfaced that nine out of eleven Ghanaian para-athletes who traveled to Oslo for the Bergen Marathon have gone missing.
The Ministry of National Security disclosed that one para-athlete, Nana Antwi, has been detained by Norwegian authorities, while the team’s coach, George Gyamfi Gyasi, passed away after collapsing and being hospitalized. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has stated that they were unaware of the team’s participation and are working with relevant authorities to look into the matter.
The National Paralympic Committee has suspended three individuals believed to be involved in planning the disappearance of the athletes. North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has emphasized that the team did not register for the event, indicating they had no intention of competing.
Ablakwa further stated that the incident raises questions about how the team bypassed protocols and institutions, suggesting there may be more to the situation than meets the eye. He called for a transparent investigation to restore Ghana’s reputation internationally.
President of the National Paralympic Committee, Samson Deen, revealed that his signature was forged on documents related to the scandal. He expressed concern over how individuals were able to acquire his letterhead and forge his signature without detection.
In light of these revelations, Ablakwa stressed the importance of conducting a thorough probe and implementing institutional reforms to demonstrate accountability to international partners.
The Minority’s demand for an inquiry underscores the need to address the serious implications of the Norwegian Para-Athletic visa scandal and prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
