Ghana Authorities Investigate Disappearance of ‘Paralympic Team’ in Norway

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Ghana’s national security ministry, in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the police, is investigating the mysterious disappearance of an 11-member group claiming to be the Ghana Paralympic team in Norway.

According to a letter from the national security ministry to the Sports Ministry, the team arrived in Oslo on April 25, 2024, purportedly to participate in the Fjordkraft Bergen City Marathon. However, they vanished shortly after arriving and did not register for or participate in the marathon on April 27.

One team member was arrested by Norwegian authorities while attempting to flee to Sweden with a one-way train ticket. The Norwegian Embassy in Ghana has alerted other Schengen and western diplomatic missions in Accra, as well as the European Border Coast Guard Agency, to locate and return the missing individuals to Ghana.

In a tragic twist, George Gyasi, who was presented as the team’s coach, collapsed on April 28 and was admitted to Oslo University Hospital, where he passed away on May 27.

The national security minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, signed a letter calling for a thorough investigation into the matter. There is growing concern that this incident could tarnish the reputation of future Ghanaian sports teams.

This incident has sparked debate within Ghana. Reports suggest that over the years, several groups have falsely presented themselves as the Ghana Paralympic team. Saddick Adams, a renowned sports journalist who worked on the local organizing committee for the first Africa Para Games in Accra, alleged that some former executives of the official para team may be involved in questionable activities.

Adams highlighted that while the genuine amputee football team was preparing for the Amputee AFCON in Egypt, another team was also training in Ghana for the same tournament. A court order prevented the fake team from traveling to Egypt, ensuring that the official team could participate.

Samson Deen, chairman of the committee, confirmed that the individuals who traveled to Norway were not members of the official Paralympic team. He revealed that they had forged the association’s letterhead and his signature for their visa applications.

Deen announced that two former executives of the association involved in the forgery have been suspended. He has also requested the police to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover all the facts.

The Sports Ministry has pledged to collaborate with relevant agencies to investigate the scam and sanction those involved. They emphasized that this incident does not reflect the dedication and integrity of the Ghanaian sports community.