Ghana’s Paralympic team allegedly absconded in Norway, with nine members on the run after failing to register for a marathon. Coach George Gyamfi Gyasi died in Oslo, and suspicions arose over forged visas. The incident could affect Ghana’s future visa applications, according to national security officials.
In a developing scandal involving Ghana’s Paralympic team, nine members are currently on the run in Norway, with one member arrested and another deceased. The team, which had been granted visas by the Norwegian Embassy in Accra, was supposed to compete in the Fjordkraft Bergen City Marathon on April 27, 2024. However, upon arriving in Oslo on April 25, they failed to register for the event.
The trouble began when Nana Antwi, a team member, was arrested on April 26 for attempting to travel to Sweden using a one-way train ticket. The team's coach, George Gyamfi Gyasi, collapsed on April 28 and died on May 17 at Oslo University Hospital, though the cause of death remains undisclosed.
The Norwegian Embassy in Accra has issued alerts to Western diplomatic missions and the European Border Coast Guard to assist in locating and repatriating the absconded team members. The scandal has raised concerns that it could impact future visa applications for Ghanaian athletes.
Samson Deen, head of Ghana's Paralympic Committee, claimed his signature was forged to obtain the visas for individuals not affiliated with the team. The Ghanaian Paralympic Committee has suspended key figures implicated in the forgery and reported the incident to local authorities for further investigation. The whereabouts of the remaining nine members remain unknown as the investigation continues.
