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20 Burkinabes repatriated for entering Ghana illegally
Twenty Burkinabes, who entered Ghana through unapproved routes at Hamile in the Upper West Region last Friday and Saturday have been arrested and repatriated by personnel of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).
The illegal migrants were travelling to the Savannah and Ashanti regions respectively for economic activities.
Speaking to the Ghanaian Times at Wa, the Regional Public Relations Officer for the GIS, Immigration Control Officer (ICO) Ibn Yussif Duranah Abdul-Mumin Seidu, said the personnel last Friday arrested five males and four females aged between 18 and 36, who entered the region on unregistered motorbikes.
He stated that the other 11 migrants who were aged between 18 and 34 were also apprehended on motorbikes last Saturday.
“The migrants have since been repatriated after they were made to undergo thorough health screening at the Hamile border,” he stated.
ICO Seidu said the illegal migrants had adopted new strategies aimed at outwitting the GIS personnel, but indicated that the personnel would continue to enhance its patrol strategies to ensure that such migrants were prevented from entering the region until the borders of the country were officially opened.
“Aside the known unapproved routes, the migrants have created their own routes and have recently adopted the use of motorbikes rather than vehicles to avoid apprehension, but we have also stepped up our vigilance to ensure that we identify them for repatriation,” he stated.
He appealed to residents along the unapproved routes to collaborate with the GIS to safeguard the borders of the country from illegal migrants, in order to halt the spread of the corona virus (CODVID-19) infection.
Ghana closed its borders on March 22, 2020, following a directive by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
FROM LYDIA DARLINGTON FORDJOUR, WA
The Minority in Parliament has strongly objected to any planned merger or partnership between the government and Telecel, describing the deal as “technically, operationally, and financially unconscionable.”
Ranking Member on the Communications Committee, Matthew Nyindam, raised the concern during a media briefing in Parliament.
He questioned why both the Minister of Communications and Telecel would publicly announce a merger and then suddenly go silent on the matter.
“We object to any deal with Telecel by way of merger, absorption, or acquisition. This is a scheme to dispose of a national asset to fill private pockets,” Mr. Nyindam stated.
He argued that Telecel has not demonstrated any special technical or operational expertise that staff and management of AT (formerly AirtelTigo) do not already possess.
According to him, Telecel had earlier promised to invest $500 million after acquiring Vodafone Ghana but failed to do so, a situation he fears could repeat itself if the government allows another deal.
Mr. Nyindam claimed that Telecel was already indebted to the tune of $400 million, adding that the company only seeks to benefit from AT’s over three million customers to expand its own base without making any real investment.
“The government must not surrender the capacity of a state-owned company to a private entity through majority ownership. There is no clear plan to protect the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of workers,” he stressed.
The Minority Caucus is therefore calling on the government to halt any discussions or agreements with Telecel regarding the proposed merger, insisting that the deal is not in the national interest.
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bryan Acheampong, has called for an emergency 90-day suspension of all forms of mining in Ghana to help restore polluted rivers and water bodies.
He made the call during his campaign tour, where he engaged party members and residents on issues of national concern, including security, the environment, and responsible mining.
Mr Acheampong explained that the temporary ban should take place during the rainy season to allow the environment to recover naturally while the nation rethinks its mining practices.
“Let’s clear our water bodies and engage on how we can go back to mining. I’m not talking about a state of emergency, but mining, regardless of where, should stop now for the next 90 days,” he said.
He warned that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, continues to poison food sources and destroy farmlands, posing a major threat to public health and food security.
“If our food systems are being poisoned and we just look on because we prefer to make money, our people will not be around in a very short time to address the situation,” he cautioned.
Mr Acheampong urged government, miners, and local leaders to use the proposed 90-day period to develop a sustainable framework for responsible mining that protects both livelihoods and the environment.
By: Jacob Aggrey
