‘It’s Very Sad' but we have to support the Black Stars — Afigya Kwabre South MP Salam Laments Visa Denials for Blackstar Supporters

Afigya Kwabre South MP Hon. Damata Ama Appianimaa Salam says it is disheartening that genuine Blackstar Supporters who planned to travel and back the national team at the World Cup have been denied visas.

Contributing to a statement made by Akatsi North MP, Hon. Lawrencia Dziwornu, on Ghana’s World Cup campaign, Salam said the situation undermines national support for the Black Stars.

“Mr Speaker I rise to associate myself with the statement made by my sister Hon. Lawrencia Dziwornu about the World Cup and the need for us to support the Black Stars.”

“Mister Speaker it is very sad because Black Stars supporters who want to go and support the team with their own resources have been denied visas. These are meaningful Ghanaians who just want to be in the stands to cheer the team.”

*‘The Energy Is Missing Because Fans Can’t Travel’*

Salam said the visa denials have dampened the usual World Cup excitement back home.

“Mr Speaker today marks the beginning of the World Cup and the energy that comes with the tournament is not there. You don’t see the enthusiasm. And part of it is because the people who create that atmosphere, the Blackstar Supporters, many of them cannot travel.”

She stressed that supporters are crucial to the team’s performance.

“When the players are on the field and they hear our drums, when they see our flags, when they hear the jama, it lifts them. That is the twelfth man. But how do we get that support if our supporters are stopped at the embassies?”

*Calls for Intervention*

Salam urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to intervene and engage embassies on behalf of supporters.

“Mr Speaker these are not people looking for greener pastures. These are fans who saved money, bought tickets, and just want to support Ghana. We must help them. The FA and the Ministry should engage the embassies so that genuine supporters are not denied.”

She added her voice to Dziwornu’s call for national unity behind the Black Stars ahead of their group matches against Panama, England, and Croatia.