Ablakwa intervenes as Black Challenge face visa hurdles ahead of World Cup

President of the Ghana Paralympic Committee, Samson Deen, has disclosed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, intervened to facilitate visas for the Black Challenge squad ahead of the 2026 World Amputee Football Federation (WAFF) World Cup in Mexico.

According to Deen, securing visas for the squad ahead of the tournament proved to be a major hurdle, as the embassy was reluctant to issue visas to the athletes.

He explained that he raised the issue publicly during a press conference, prompting the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, to intervene. Through Adams’ lobbying efforts, Ablakwa also stepped in to help facilitate the visa process.

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Addressing the media at a university dinner and media engagement event, Deen expressed surprise at the difficulties involved in securing visas for the amputee players and thanked the Foreign Affairs Minister for his intervention.

“It is very strange and very bad when you want to go to a country like Mexico. Then the requirement is so damning that you have to do so much to get a visa for a team. But at least the Foreign Affairs Minister and his ministry have come to our aid through the Sports Minister, and they've been able to issue the necessary documentation to make sure that they apply for the visa.

“So we've been able to clear that hurdle of players leaving us for Turkey. They are all here. We have the full strength, the full squad. Yeah, so let me tell you that we've been able to convince their clubs, and they are allowed to train with us,” he said.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22, 2026, in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. The Black Challenge have been drawn in Group D alongside Angola, Colombia, and Iraq.

Watch the video below:

World Cup: Samson Deen reveals Ablakwa’s role in Black Challenge visa process

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— GhanaWeb (@TheGhanaWeb) October 16, 2026