The Founder of Ernestay Foundation, Ernest Ayisi, has denied his involvement in forging the signature of National Paralympic Committee President, Samson Deen, in a Paralympic visa scandal to Norway.
The Ministry of National Security released a letter, dated July 3, 2024, revealing how nine members of an alleged fake Paralympic team absconded after being accused of impersonation.
According to the letter, 11 athletes secured visas from the Norwegian Embassy in Accra to participate in the Fjordkraft Bergen City Marathon in Oslo on April 27 this year.
However, it appeared the members did not intend to participate in the competition, with one member, Nana Antwi, caught attempting to leave Norway for Sweden with a one-way train ticket.
Meanwhile, coach George Gyamfi Gyasi collapsed and subsequently passed away after being admitted to Oslo University Hospital.
Deen has unequivocally denied signing a letter seeking visa assistance from the Norwegian Embassy for the competition.
In an exclusive interview with Joy Sports, he named Theodore Mawuli Viwotor, former Secretary General of the Ghana Paralympic Football Association, and Ernest Ayisi, as being responsible for the forgery.
In response to the allegation on Asempa FM, Ayisi recounted: “They [Norwegian Embassy in Accra] refused [for a visa]. They demanded a higher letter for the visa to be granted.
"Atongo [a member of the team] said he could get a letter [from NPC], which I did not see until they were about to travel.
"Deen [President of NPC] called me and Theo [former Secretary General of the Ghana Paralympic Football Association] on a conference call where we explained what happened and that Atongo had travelled with the team.
"My name is not on the list. I would have included my family if I wanted them to abscond. How can I forge a signature? I am illiterate. I explained to Deen, but he is adamant. The letter was from his office. Are people not working there? So why is he saying I have forged his signature?
"Ghanaians, I haven't done it. Samson Deen, I did not do it."
The National Paralympic Committee has indefinitely suspended Mr Theodore Mawuli Viwotor, Mr Yaw Ayisi, and the Ernestay Foundation for their alleged involvement in the incident.
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