Gov’t to Investigate Claims  of Some Football Fans Seeking Asylum in Brazil

Government says it is investigating reports that over 200 Ghanaians have requested asylum after entering Brazil on tourist visas to watch the World Cup.

A Deputy Minister of Information and Media Relations, Felix Ofosu Kwakye in a statement said Ghana’s Mission in Brazil has been instructed to liaise with their Brazilian counterparts to investigate the matter after which appropriate steps will be taken.

Media reports indicate that hundreds of Ghanaians who entered Brazil to Watch the World Cup have asked for asylum in the country.

They stated that they were Muslims fleeing violent conflict between Muslim sects.


Background 

Reports in local and International media that Brazilian Federal Police say about 200 Ghanaians have requested asylum after entering the country on tourist visas to watch the World Cup.

The federal Police Chief, Noerci da Silva Melo, said the asylum seekers said they are Muslims fleeing inter-religious conflicts in Ghana. 

Another one thousand Ghanaians are expected to request refugee status once the tournament is over.

GBC

Below Is Full Statement:

GOVERNMENT  DENIES  RELIGIOUS  CONFLICT  CLAIMS  OF ASYLUM SEEKERS IN BRAZIL

Government’s  attention  has  been  drawn  to  reports  in  sections  of  the  local  and international media that a number of Ghanaians travelling on tourist visas to Brazil have  requested  for  asylum  in  that  country.  

It  is  reported  that  this  request  for  asylum  is premised on claims of a “religious conflict”.

Government  states  for  the  record  that  the  basis  for  this  alleged  request  is  completely false as no religious conflict is taking place in Ghana. It is also worthy to note that Ghana is one of the most stable and peaceful countries not just in the West African sub -region  but also on the African continent.

Ghana’s  mission  in  Brazil  has  been  instructed  to  liaise  with  the  Brazilian  authorities  to 
investigate the matter.

(Signed)
Felix Kwakye Ofosu
Deputy Minister  for Information  & Media Relations
(11 TH July 2014)