Ghanaian fans failing German visa requirements

With only 24 days to go for the opening match of the World Cup, only about 200 out of the 5,000 applicants for visas to watch the World Cup in Germany have been successful in their applications.

FIFA has allocated 9,000 tickets to Ghanaian supporters to watch the World Cup, but out of that only 5,000 have applied for Visas. World Cup 2006 is the biggest football event, which Ghana is participating in for the first time.

Some of the supporters who spoke to ADM said they have had to go through rigorous processes at the German Embassy when they present their applications.

A supporter said: "When I submitted all my documents, they asked me whether I have a relative there and I said no. They told me I don't have a big account, so they can't give me the visa. I told them that someone is supporting me, but they said they wanted to see my own account and that I can't depend on anyone".

ADM has also learnt that people who have won raffles are required to have a specific amount of money in their account.

A winner of the Scancom Limited competition, who wants to remain anonymous revealed that though Scancom Limited is sponsoring him, he's been asked to have some money in his account before he can get his visa.

"I actually don't know whether they understand what is meant by sponsorship. If I had money to go, I wouldn't have entered into that raffle", the man said.

Most of the supporters who ADM spoke to expressed the same worries. They called on the Ministry of Sports, Education and Science and also the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene.

"We are not saying they should give every Ghanaian a visa. Some of us have genuine documents but they just refused us? The Black Stars need our support; they need our "Jama" to rekindle their spirits when they are down. This is a lifetime experience and they must give Ghanaians a treat".

When ADM contacted the German Embassy for comment, officials were tightlipped, but ADM has information from Togo's FA's website that about 2000 out of 3000 Togolese supporters who applied for German visas in Togo have been given their visas.

In a news item pasted on the website, the head of the Togolese FA, Rock Gnassingbe said "I am happy on the kind of collaboration we have received from the German Embassy. About 2000 people are said to have got their visas and that to me is a good thing for the team. We hope they don't disappoint the numerous people going to support them".

On the 9th of May, 2006, FIFA president Sepp Blatter in a press conference urged all German embassies in the world to be "lenient" with supporters of the World Cup participating team.

"We need the supporters and Germany also needs them to boost their economy. The success of this World Cup dwells on the patronage, so we must not prevent people from coming into the country", he said.