Events organiser and entertainment analyst Robert Klah has weighed in on the visa challenges that reportedly prevented Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey from travelling to Canada, stressing that every country has the sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws regardless of international sporting events.
Speaking on Hitz FM on Tuesday, June 16, Klah noted that FIFA competitions do not override a country’s domestic regulations, drawing parallels with the restrictions that were enforced during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“We went to Qatar. As per their national rules, alcohol is forbidden, right? So it’s got nothing to do with whether it’s FIFA or not. The rules of the country are the rules of the country. You have to respect that.”
While acknowledging the sovereignty of nations, Klah argued that Ghanaian authorities should take a more proactive approach in ensuring key national team players do not encounter travel difficulties ahead of major assignments.
According to him, government institutions, particularly the Foreign Affairs Ministry, should work closely with sports authorities well in advance of international competitions to address potential immigration or diplomatic hurdles.
“As long as every player’s role in the national team is important, governments of the day should take an interest in ensuring that they have the ability to enter into other countries.”
Klah suggested that measures such as diplomatic interventions, waivers, or other foreign relations arrangements could be explored before tournaments or international matches take place.
“Ahead of time, if our Foreign Ministry can do something about these things, the diplomacy thing is sorted out 100 percent.”
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