Government has said it is investigating reports that over 200 Ghanaians have requested asylum after entering Brazil on tourist visas to watch the World Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has come to government\u2019s attention and once it got our attention, immediate steps were taken to investigate the matter,\u201d the Deputy Minister of Information and Media Relations, Felix Ofosu Kwakye said<\/p>\n
According to him, \u201cGhana\u2019s Mission in Brazil has been instructed to liaise with their Brazilian counterparts to investigate the matter after which appropriate steps will be taken.\u201d<\/p>\n
Media reports indicate that hundreds of Ghanaians who entered Brazil to Watch the World Cup have asked for asylum in the country.<\/p>\n
They stated that they were Muslims fleeing violent conflict between Muslim sects.<\/p>\n
But speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show<\/b>, Mr. Ofosu Kwakye clarified that the basis for the alleged request for asylum is completely untrue saying \u201c \u2026there is no religious conflict raging in this country at this moment therefore it will be most surprising and unfortunate for an impression to be created that this is a country that has been\u00a0beset with some religious conflict for which reason its citizens would want seek asylum in a foreign country\u201d<\/p>\n
He noted that government will issue a statement to rebut claims by the Ghanaian fans in Brazil that there is some political unrest in the country.<\/p>\n
The Minister added that \u201cno one can conclude whether the fans sent to Brazil were the same people seeking asylum until investigations are completed\u201d<\/p>\n
Government sponsored 500 supporters to go to Brazil to cheer the Black Stars on. It is believed that the 200 currently seeking asylum were part of the team government sent to Brazil.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Youth and Sports paid 6000 dollars per head to send the supporters to Brazil.<\/p>\n
Ghana’s participation in the 2014 World Cup which resulted in a humiliating elimination has also yielded a number of scandals.<\/p>\n
Government’s decision to airlift three million dollars to Brazil to pay the appearance fees of the Black Stars caused outrage in Ghana and embarrassment across the world with some questioning the prudence of the move at the time the nation’s economy was declining.<\/p>\n
It is believed the government and Ghana Football Association’s handling of the appearance fees affected the performance of the team.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Below is the full statement issued by the Deputy Minister for Information, Felix Kwakye Ofosu<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n GOVERNMENT DENIES RELGIOUS CONFLICT CLAIMS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS IN BRAZIL <\/b><\/p>\n Government\u2019s attention has been drawn to reports in sections of the local and international media that a number of Ghanaians travelling on tourist visas to Brazil have requested for asylum in that country. It is reported that this request for asylum is premised on claims of a \u201creligious conflict\u201d.<\/p>\n Government states for the record that the basis for this alleged request is completely false as no religious conflict is taking place in Ghana. It is also worthy to note that Ghana is one of the most stable and peaceful countries not just in the West African sub-region but also on the African continent.<\/p>\n Ghana\u2019s mission in Brazil has been instructed to liaise with the Brazilian authorities to investigate the matter.<\/p>\n (Signed)<\/p>\n Felix Kwakye Ofosu <\/b><\/p>\n Deputy Minister for Information & Media Relations <\/b><\/p>\n (11TH July 2014)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n By: Marian Efe Ansah\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Government has said it is investigating reports that over 200 Ghanaians have requested asylum after entering Brazil on tourist visas to watch the World Cup. \u201cIt has come to government\u2019s attention and once it got our attention, immediate steps were taken to investigate the matter,\u201d the Deputy Minister of Information and Media Relations, Felix Ofosu […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":11580,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[43,38],"yoast_head":"\n