Samson Deen, President of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Ghana, has vehemently denied allegations of authorizing Ghanaian para-athletes to travel to Norway for the Bergren Marathon, citing forgery of his signature on visa application documents.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the team’s alleged participation and subsequent issues in Norway, Deen clarified that neither he nor the NPC-Ghana had applied for visas or endorsed any travel for the event.
“We want to clarify that the Ghana Paralympic Team did not apply for a visa, and I did not sign any letter on behalf of the team for the Norwegian Embassy. The documents circulating in the media with my signature were forged,” Deen stated firmly during a press briefing.
The Ministry of National Security had earlier reported the apprehension of a para-athlete, Nana Antwi, in Norway, sparking a wave of concern and confusion regarding the team’s purported representation at the marathon.
“I urge the public to disregard photos or stories associating individuals with the team. None of them are involved or associated with us,” Deen emphasized, underscoring the severity of the misinformation circulating in the media.
The incident has raised significant questions about the authenticity of documentation and the procedures followed by Ghana’s Paralympic Committee in international sporting representations.
Deen’s statements underscore a pressing need for clarity and accountability in sports management, particularly regarding the integrity of official endorsements and visa applications for international competitions.
