Petition is organized by Friends of Kofi to support Kofi Ampong’s fight to remain in Canada
The prospect of deportation is proving to be yet another block in Kofi Ampong’s road to recovery from a paralyzing attack.
The former STU student – a Ghanaian national – now finds himself in a campaign to remain in Canada after having his permanent residency application rejected twice.
“Kofi applied for permanent residency, but was turned down. His appeal was also turned down,” said Richard Myers, a political science professor at St. Thomas, and a founding member of the Friends of Kofi, a Facebook group supporting his recovery.
Support for Ampong’s fight to stay in Canada is being organized, he added.
“The Friends of Kofi group has initiated a petition,” he said. “The objective is to demonstrate to the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration that Kofi has a strong support group here in Canada.”
The petition reads “We, the undersigned members of the St. Thomas faculty, staff, alumni and student body, call upon the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to approve the application from St. Thomas alumnus Kofi Ampong for permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.”
It is meant to give more voices to Kofi’s cause and will be available for all students, faculty, alumni and administration to sign before the scheduled hearing at court, which will take place on Monday, Nov. 9 at 2:30 p.m.
Ampong’s uncertain immigration status also has implications for his recovery plans, as access to necessary medical facilities and treatments is only possible if he stays in Canada.
Yet Ampong remains optimistic, even with all the difficulties he’s facing.
“Each message brought a smile to my face and helped speed my recovery, furthermore boosting my confidence and spirits to believe that all is not lost,” he wrote in a letter in response to a get-well card. “So I am going to keep fighting the good fight as far as my recovery is concerned.”
He will be hearing the final response to his appeal to stay in Canada next Monday.
Myers said this is a final appeal on “compassionate and humanitarian grounds.”
“The officials in charge have the authority to recommend to the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Mr. Jason Kennedy, that Kofi be granted permanent residency,” said Myers. “Or (they can) recommend that he be ordered to leave the country permanently.”
