Over 500 angry Ghanaian supporters hit some principal streets in Accra on Wednesday to protest against the refusal of the Canadian High Commission to grant them visas into Canada to support the Black Princesses at the on-going FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup tournament.
Members of 30 supporter union groups begun the march at the Obra spot, Circle at exactly 0900GMT.
The supporters marched to the Accra Hearts of Oak training ground to submit their petition to both the government and the Canadian High Commission.
In attendance at Wednesday’s procession was the head of the Kenpong Group of Companies, Mohammed Alhassan, the founder of the Ghana Supporters Union Group, Abraham Boakye[One man supporter], the founder of the Millenium Supporters Union Group, Haruna Aziz Futah and the leader of the Die-hard supporters union group, Apirigu Chakapama.
Speaking to citifmonline.com, the leaders of the Supporter Union groups, accused the Candaian High Commission of deliberately refusing to hand them visas into Canada, despite meeting the High Commission’s laid-down criteria.
“If you agree to host a tournament you must be prepared to give visas out, we met your requirement so why are you refusing us visas”
“We think it is a deliberate acion and all that we are asking is that No visa no host.” – they added
Abraham Boakye also took the opportunity to refute claims suggesting that, the Ghanaian asylum seekers in Brazil were members of supporter groups and asked the media to be circumspect in their reportage.
“We want FIFA to know what is happening here, the asylum seekers are not part of Ghana supporters those asylum seekers went there on their own that is not a good excuse”
They then called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene and ensure that the High Commission refund their processing fees.
“They are also part, they are not doing anything to help. We sent them a petition we have not heard anything from them, tomorrow we will go to their offices and send them our petition again”
By: Benjamin Epton Owusu/Citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @BenEpton_