Blatant lies, we have not travelled to Norway – Family of late Paralympic coach denies absconding allegations

Speaking against what they describe as “unguarded and unverified statements,” Felix Kwame Gyasi, a brother of the deceased, expressed dismay over the recent reports.

According to Felix’s account, George Gyasi returned to Ghana from Turkey in February 2024 due to health concerns with his left leg. Despite seeking medical attention and initially planning to return to Europe, George postponed his trip after the passing of a family member. He eventually sought assistance elsewhere and travelled to Norway.

Upon his arrival in Oslo, George experienced a health crisis related to his previous medical issues and was admitted to the ICU. Tragically, he passed away a few days later.

He revealed that after unsuccessful attempts to obtain visas for his wife and a close associate to arrange for the body to be brought back to Ghana, the family decided on cremation and repatriation of the remains.

He denied reports that the family sent a delegation to Norway to handle the body of their late relative. He termed the reports as malicious accusations against their deceased relative.

The statement from the family comes after the President of NPC-Ghana, Samson Deen, disclosed on Asaase Radio on Monday, July 22, that four relatives who were sent to retrieve George Gyasi’s body had absconded after arriving in Norway.

“They subsequently wrote to the Norwegian embassy again and requested to send the families of the one who died. The people went, they couldn’t bring the corpse. The four also absconded, these guys are known. They’ve been identified,” Deen said.

Read the full statement from the family below:

Our attention has been drawn to unguarded, unverified, and unresearched statements made by certain media personalities in Accra and Kumasi regarding the late coach of the Amputees team, George Gyemfi Gyasi, who passed on the 17th of May, 2024, in Oslo, Norway.

It is very unfortunate that these personalities have not done due diligence and made no effort to cross-check their facts before airing them on various platforms. This smacks of impunity and disrespect to the Fourth Estate.

George Gyasi complained of pain in his left leg in February 2024 and returned to Ghana from Turkey to seek medical attention. After visiting three hospitals, George regained his strength and spoke to his elder sister, Nana Birago, about his intentions to go back to Europe and sought financial assistance from her.

Unfortunately, George had lost his uncle at the time, for which reason he was asked to stay until after the funeral so he could go back to Europe. However, he sought assistance from elsewhere and left for Norway.

Upon his arrival in Oslo, he felt the pangs of pain again in his left leg, subsequently collapsed, and was rushed to the hospital, where we were later informed that he had been admitted into the Intensive Care Unit. He was subsequently pronounced dead a few days later.

His wife and close associate, who had planned to go and see to the body to be transported, were denied visas by the Norwegian embassy in Accra.

The family consequently met and decided to have the body cremated and the remains sent to Ghana.

At no point did we, the Gyasis, send a delegation to Norway to arrange the body of the deceased.

At no point have we asked any person or group of persons to represent us in discussions with Norwegian authorities over his remains.

It is malicious, unfortunate, and crude to make allegations against the dead when they know they can’t speak for themselves.

We are currently in discussions with our lawyers to deal with these defamatory and scandalous statements by persons who have completely yanked due diligence out of the window and have not bothered to seek the right information regarding this matter.

SIGNED: FELIX KWAME GYASI (BROTHER OF THE DECEASED)