I’ve not sanctioned deportation of undocumented Ghanaians abroad – Ayorkor Botchway

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described as untruthful and cruel, reports being circulated on social media claiming the Sector Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway has okayed the deportation of Ghanaians abroad without documentation.

According to the Ministry, the claims are a misrepresentation of the facts as put out by the Minister during her recent vetting in Parliament.

A statement released by the ministry said: “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.”

Below is the full 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.