Don’t shield irregular migrants – landlords told

The Western Regional Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCI) Dr. Prosper Price Delali Asima has pleaded with the public, especially landlords to volunteer information on irregular migrants.

This, he said would enable them to verify whether they had the right permits to stay in the country or not.

He also advised the youth to take advantage of the Programmes that successive governments had instituted to improve on unemployment rather than stowing-away to endanger their lives.

He noted that stowaway was predominant in this part of the country advised that individuals could travel, but must do that in a safe, orderly and a regular manner.

DCI Dr Asima made the appeal prior to a float to launch this year’s International Migrants Day celebration, which falls on every 18th December to recognise the rights of migrants and their contributions to national development throughout the world, and identify various irregularities, abuses and violations of migrants.

The day is also used to recognise the ordeals that migrants go through and consider best ways to minimise it.

This year’s theme is, "Stop Irregular Migration: You Are Our Future.”

DCI Dr. Asima explained that the purpose of the float was to create the awareness ahead of the national celebration, which would be hosted in the region for the first time to sensitise members of the public about the dangers in irregular migration.

He mentioned killing, harm, kidnap, maltreatment, sexual abuse exploitation, servitude and slavery as some of the dangers irregular migrants went through.

According to him, last year alone, more than 50 people were repatriated to their home countries from the Western Region , with majority of them from China and Nigeria, Pakistan, United States and Canada among others.

DCI DR Asima indicated that some of the irregular migrants crossed the borders unauthorised and others seek asylum without refugee status or the right status.

He defined irregular migration as using inappropriate means to travel which is often done in four ways such as, unauthorised crossing of the border, seemingly travelling in a legal way, but with falsified documents, overstaying of the permitted stay and seeking asylum without a refugee status or the right status.

DCI Dr. Asima explained that the mandate of his outfit was to provide effective administration and management of migrants and contribute to national security.

“For this reason, we have offices across the country and the regions with an enforcement units whose duty is to make sure that irregular migrants are identified and sent out of the country, hence the need for the public to willingly volunteer information regarding irregular migrants to the Service”, he emphasized.