The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, yesterday convened high-level meetings with officials of the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission to begin discussions on visa arrangements for Ghanaian football fans ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Ghanaian delegation included the Technical Advisor to the Minister for Sports, Hon. Betty Krosbi Mensah, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Mr. Kurt Okraku, as well as senior directors from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Sports.
The US team was led by Mr. Rolf Olson, Acting Ambassador, while the Canadian side was headed by Mr. Dennis Roussel, Acting High Commissioner.
The engagements, according to Hon. Ablakwa, were aimed at fostering mutual understanding on expectations and requirements, enhancing coordination, and developing clear roadmaps to improve visa facilitation for Ghanaian supporters. Discussions also focused on the need for special arrangements for football fans, officials, and the Black Stars team outside the regular visa application processes.
Mr. Ablakwa noted that the recent reversal of US visa restrictions which had limited Ghanaian applicants to single entry visas was timely, as it now allows for multiple-entry visas. This development will enable Ghanaian fans to re-enter the United States after travelling to Canada and Mexico, the two other co-hosts of the tournament.
Hon. Ablakwa expressed appreciation to the GFA President for presenting Black Stars replica jerseys to the diplomatic teams. He further disclosed that a similar engagement with officials of the Mexican Embassy has been scheduled for Friday.
With Ghana’s qualification secured, the government and its partners are working to ensure that fans can travel with ease to support the Black Stars on the world stage.
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