The Ghana Paralympic Team reportedly absconded upon their arrival in Oslo, Norway, on April 25, 2024, for the Fjordkraft Bergen City Marathon. According to a confidential report from the Ministry of National Security of Ghana, 11 team members failed to register and participate in the marathon, which was scheduled for April 27, 2024.
The situation escalated when one team member, identified as Nana Antwi, was apprehended and detained on April 26, 2024, by Norwegian security officials while attempting to depart Norway for Sweden on a one-way train ticket.
What is intriguing is that the information was kept from the Ghanaian public for nearly three months and only surfaced following a leaked document.
The leaked document also indicated that the Norwegian Embassy in Accra has issued alerts to other Schengen and Western diplomatic missions in Accra, as well as the European Border Coast Guard Agency, to assist in apprehending and repatriating the team members.
The report further revealed that the team’s coach, George Gyamfi Gyasi, collapsed on April 28, 2024, and was admitted to Oslo University Hospital, Ulleval, where he passed away on May 17, 2024.The search for the remaining team members is ongoing.
The National Paralympic Committee has disassociated itself from the absconded individuals and suspended Mr. Theodore Mawuli Viwotor, Mr. Ernest Yaw Ayisi, and the Enestay Foundation indefinitely for their involvement in the matter.
This is not the first time athletes or fans have absconded after arriving at the destination of a sporting event. Such incidents have, however, led to genuine sportsmen and women being denied visas.
