The Foreign Affairs Ministry has dismissed claims that it has sanctioned the deportation of undocumented Ghanaians living abroad.
A press release from the Ministry is asking the public to ignore the "untruthful and cruel attempts being made by some unpatriotic elements, to twist the responses given by the Minister [Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey] when she appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament of Ghana on 23rd January 2017."
The Foreign Affairs Ministry clarifies that the Minister only sought to point out that although it had no power to interfere in the sovereignty of another country, it was mandated to engage countries where undocumented Ghanaians were residing to ensure they were treated in a humane manner when the need arises, and protect their interest by extending to them all the consular assistance that they are entitled to as citizens.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry released the following press statement:
The attention of the Ministry of Foreign affairs has been drawn to false reports being circulated on social media by some Ghanaians in the Diaspora, that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional integration, Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has sanctioned the deportation to Ghana, of undocumented Ghanaians residing abroad.
The ministry wishes to point out that these are untruthful and cruel attempts being made by some unpatriotic elements, to twist the responses given by the Minister, when she appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament of Ghana on 23rd January, 2017.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional integration wishes to point out that seeking and protecting the welfare of Ghananians abroad is one of the cardinal principles of Ghana's foreign policy. Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey articulated that very well during her vetting. She also indicated that much as missions abroad could not interfere in the affairs of any sovereign country, to have the status of undocumented Ghanaians regularised, she would engage those countries to ensure that our nationals are treated in a humane manner, whenever the need arises and do all that she can to protect their interest, by extending to them all the consular assistance that they are entitled to as Ghanaians.
Against the backdrop of an earlier question on Ghanaians bringing their experience, knowledge and skills to bear on our national development, the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional integration added that Ghana's missions abroad could meet with our compatriots in the diaspora and appeal to them to come home to assist whenever they were disposed to. Never was it said that they would be deported.
The Ministry of Foreign affairs and Regional Integration has not issued directives for the deportation of any Ghanaians living abroad.
The general public is therefore entreated to disregard those negative reports which seek to malign the person of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional integration, Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and the Ministry as a whole.
Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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This is just another NDC toxic propaganda to discredit the NPP ; how can the Ministry instruct another foreign government whether to deport or not to deport Ghanaians abroad ; the fact is that any Ghanaian who travels or seeks greener pastures abroad does that at their own risk; the embassies are suppose to assist when you fall foul of their immigration rules ; they are not there to obtain or regularise your stay abroad ; Ghana also deports foreigners all the time and to accuse the minister or the ministry of instigation of any Ghanaian deportation from abroad seem to be cheap politics besides why does Ghanaians love to politicise everything ; even the colour of their faeces Ghanaians want to politicise ; the truth is that if you travel abroad and overstay your welcome for reasons of economic benefit ; then you may be deported ; IT IS A RISK which some people are prepared to take ; what people should understand is that by reason of diplomatic prudence ; most Ghanaian embassies do not want to be involved in immigration matters in particular illegal immigration ; it gives the country a bad name besides by reason of the poor economic situation in Ghana most embassies in Accra know a third of the people who travel to Europe ; US and the far east may not return; everybody knows there are dubious ways to hang around abroad but when you are caught there is not much the embassy can do to help but to facilitate your return ; Ghanaians who travel abroad should rather seek to learn to basics ; do not go and buy a car ; do not follow friends ; try and join a community organisation or a church or mosques and try and get a pastor who you can trust with your ; if you have the chance do some training or go and study part-time do it from the start ; try and safe cash in Ghana; try and avoid friends and keep quiet about your situation ; try and register with the embassy ; DO NOT BE FULLED THAT ONCE YOU ARE IN THAT COUNTRY YOUR ARE A CITIZEN OR IF YOU ARE CITIZEN YOU THE RIGHT TO BE ONE OF THEM BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT :: YOU ARE A GHANAIAN BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME GHAIANS IN THE US AND UK WHO THINK BECAUSE THEY HAVE A PAPER THEY ARE ONE OF THEM : YOU ARE NOT !!!!!!!AND MUST BE CAREFUL !!!!!!