Ferrari must go -YAG demands

Youth for Action Ghana (YAG) and WACAM both Non-Governmental Organizations in Ghana have asked Ghana's Interior Ministry to deport with immediate effect Mr Harry Ferrari who is currently the Chief Security Officer of Golden Star Resources (Bogoso/Prestea Mines). Below is the full text of the petition sent to the Honourable Minister of the Interior.

YAG and WACAM believe that the continuous stay of the man is an affront to the sovereignty of Ghana as well as an insult to the Ghanaian. Please read on: 31st July 2007 . The Minister

Ministry of Interior Ministries, Accra

Dear Sir

PETITION BY WACAM AND YOUTH FOR ACTION GHANA AGAINST THE EMPLOYMENT OF MR HARRY FERRARI BY GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES (BOGOSO/PRESTEA MINE).

In May 2006, Mr Harry Ferrari, who was then the Chief Security Officer of Newmont Ahafo Mine, described an employee of the company as “Black Monkey”. The Paramount Chiefs of Kenyase No. 1 and 2 as well as their sub-chiefs expressed anger and disappointment about the racist statement of Mr Harry Ferrari because, by extension, Mr Harry Ferrari’s derogatory remarks refer to all Ghanaians.

Mr Ferrari was compelled to leave the country when the traditional leaders and employees complained about his continuous stay in Ghana.

We are aware that Mr Ferrari has returned into the country as the Chief Security officer of Golden Star Resources (Bogoso/ Prestea Mine). By employing a known racist as the Chief Security Officer with the record of having been pressured to leave Ghana, the company has shown gross disrespect for the people of Ghana and Ghanaians must see this as an assault on our collective dignity.

The re-employment of Mr Ferrari in the Mining Sector of Ghana further betrays the Ghana Chamber of Mines insensitivity to the racists’ attitude of expatriate miners and thus makes the Chamber complicit of racism.

We condemn in no uncertain terms the continued stay and employment of people like Mr Ferrari who benefit from our mineral resources and show gross disrespect for our people.

WACAM and YAG are calling on the state institutions of mining to improve their monitoring roles to ensure that the calibre of expatriate employees in the mining sector respect the dignity and pride of the Ghanaian here in Ghana. This is our country; those who will not respect us must be shown the exit immediately.

Sir, we therefore appeal strongly to your high office to ensure the deportation of Mr Harry Ferrari from Ghana with immediate effect. We trust that you would act to defend the sovereignty of our motherland by safeguarding the right, dignity and pride of the Ghanaian in our homeland.

Daniel Owusu-Koranteng James Kwabena Bomfeh Jnr Executive Director Executive Director WACAM Youth for Action Ghana

CC: The Hon. Minister of Mines The Hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General The Hon. Minister of National Security

James Kwabena Bomfeh Jnr

Executive Director

Youth for Action Ghana

P.O Box CT 1370

Accra, Ghana

Tel: +233 24 453 54 72