Visa Scandal: Sports Minister calls out Norway embassy for not verifying para athletes

Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has called out the Norwegian Embassy for not verifying the absconded athletes’ application before issuing the visas for their trip to Oslo.

The 11-member team comprising a head coach, welfare officer, equipment manager, trainer, masseur, and six paralympic athletes arrived in Oslo on 25 April 2024, to compete in the Fjordkraft Bergen City Marathon but did not show up for the event.

The team’s coach, George Gyamfi Gyasi, passed away after collapsing and being admitted to Oslo University Hospital (ULEVAL) on April 28, 2024.

The Ministry of National Security confirmed the disappearance in a letter dated  3 July 2024, addressed to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration

Addressing the media on Wednesday (24, July) Mustapha indicated the Ministry did not receive an official request from the team.

“You follow protocol by writing to the National Sports Authority and the National Sports Authority will write to the Ministry (Sports). In this case, I have just told you, that nothing of such nature happened until I even got the reportage, we didn’t know.

“Secondly, the Norwegian authorities who 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 will take responsibility, I’m sorry I can’t.” “I can’t take responsibility”

Efforts to locate the remaining athletes continue, with Norwegian authorities and Ghanaian officials collaborating on the search.

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