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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 Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
