Ghana embassy in Brazil to probe fans seeking asylum

The Ghanaian government has directed its Embassy in Brazil to liaise with authorities there to investigate some people claiming to be Ghanaians seeking asylum in that country.

Some 200 Ghanaian fans who went to Brazil to watch the Black Stars play in the World Cup have requested asylum, citing religious conflicts, reports Xinhua.

The fans, believed to be part of the government-sponsored squad to watch the FIFA World Cup, entered Brazil on tourist visas.

They claimed to be Muslims fleeing inter-religious conflicts in Ghana, and have filed their applications in the southern city of Caxias do Sul, one of Brazil's most prosperous areas, according to reports in the local media.

But the Ghanaian government has denied the claim by the supposed asylum seekers.

"Government states for the record that the basis for this alleged request is completely false as no religious conflict is taking place in Ghana," said a statement issued here by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, deputy minister of Information and Media Relations.

"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," the statement said.

"Ghana's mission in Brazil has been instructed to liaise with the Brazilian authorities to investigate the matter," Ofosu added.

Most of the Ghanaian asylum seekers in Caxias do Sul are said to be receiving shelter by local Roman Catholic churches in Brazil.

Ghana participated in its third straight World Cup but exited in the first round after garnering only one point from a possible nine points.