Four individuals claiming to be relatives of George Gyamfi Gyasi, the deceased paralympic coach who represented Ghana at a recent marathon in Norway, have reportedly absconded in Norway, according to Samson Deen, President of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC).
These individuals had allegedly obtained visas from the Norwegian embassy under pretences, intending to travel to Oslo to repatriate Gyamfi Gyasi’s body to Accra.
In an interview with Benjamin Offei-Addo on the Asaase Breakfast Show, Deen revealed that the two officials responsible for facilitating the trip for the “fake paralympic team” had utilized a defunct association to apply for the visas.
“The first visa application included six or seven individuals, initially denied visas. They later forged the necessary documents and managed to secure visas. Upon arrival in Norway, they absconded, and unfortunately, one of them passed away,” Deen explained.
He further detailed that after Gyamfi Gyasi’s death on May 17, 2024, his purported relatives were subsequently authorized to travel to Norway to handle his affairs but failed to return as expected.
“The four individuals absconded despite being identified. This situation is deplorable,” Deen lamented.
In response to the scandal, the NPC has taken decisive action by indefinitely suspending Theodore Mawuli Viwotor and Yaw Ayisi; two officials implicated in the visa fraud scandal. They allegedly forged documents to secure visas for individuals who were not legitimate members of the para-athletic team.
The fallout from this incident has prompted heightened scrutiny. Norwegian authorities are actively involved in addressing the situation and preventing further misuse of diplomatic channels.
The NPC is expected to release an official statement in the coming days following its preliminary investigation into the scandal. The statement aims to clarify the extent of the wrongdoing and ensure accountability within the organization.
Listen to Samson Deen in the attached audio clip below:
