YEF appeals UK visa denial of Ghana delegate for speaking competition in open letter to British High Commissioner

The Young Educators Foundation (YEF), Ghana’s official partner of the global English-Speaking Union (ESU), has issued a passionate appeal to the British High Commission in Ghana regarding the visa denial of 17-year-old Maame Abenlema Amihere from The Roman Ridge School.

The sixth-form student had been selected to represent Ghana at the prestigious International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) in London, scheduled to begin on Monday, May 12, 2025.

In an open letter dated May 8, available to MyJoyOnline, YEF Director Eugenia Tachie-Menson appealed directly to British High Commissioner Harriet Thompson for reconsideration.

The letter highlights that all standard appeal processes have been exhausted under the visa category, leaving this diplomatic appeal as the final recourse.

“Your Excellency, with barely 4 days before Maame’s expected travel, we are out of options. We appeal to your office not just on procedural grounds, but on moral and educational ones: that Ghana’s rightful voice be present at an event celebrating global citizenship, and that a bright African girl not be silenced by preventable administrative error,” the letter stated.

The letter explained that the effort to get Maame to London has been communal: her school, the British Council Ghana, the British High Commission, and two sponsoring bodies—the ESU (UK) and YEF (Ghana)—have all played a role in ensuring her readiness.

“Yet, despite two applications and significant revisions, her visa has been refused,” the letter emphasised.

The foundation outlined the extensive collaborative efforts involving Maame’s school, the British Council Ghana, and both the ESU (UK) and YEF (Ghana) as sponsoring organisations. Despite two meticulously prepared applications and substantial revisions addressing initial concerns, the visa refusal stands.

YEF emphasised the programme’s impeccable track record since 2010, noting that all 11 previous Ghanaian delegates to the IPSC have complied fully with visa requirements and returned home promptly after the competition.

The letter reminded the High Commissioner of her own involvement in hosting the 2023 finalists at the British High Commission offices in Accra.

As of publication, the British High Commission had not issued a public response to the appeal.

Meanwhile, education stakeholders and advocates are hopeful of a favourable outcome.

Key points in the appeal include:

-Official Representation: Maame’s participation constitutes an official national delegation, not personal travel, to an event where African representation remains disproportionately low.

-Comprehensive Sponsorship: All expenses – including accommodation (covered by ESU-UK), return flights (funded by YEF-Ghana), and ground transportation – have been fully secured.

-Documentation Compliance: The Roman Ridge School and Maame’s parents have provided complete documentation, including formal consent letters and care arrangements.

-Chaperone Resolution: After the initial refusal cited chaperone concerns, the application was revised with a new chaperone holding valid UK entry clearance, with this change thoroughly explained.

-Procedural Error: The second refusal appears based on a clear administrative oversight, incorrectly stating no alternative travel rationale had been provided despite comprehensive documentation.

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