Nkoranza youth educated on dangers of illegal migration

Nkoranza (B/A), Aug. 12, GNA - A three-member delegation from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has visited Nkoranza to interact with and educate the youth on the dangers associated with illegal migration.

Illegal migration is common among the youth in Nkoranza and its environs who often take the dangerous journey across the Sahara Desert to reach Libya.

The IOM delegation comprised Miss Dyane Epstein, the chief of the mission, Mr. Kojo Wilmot of Reintegration Assistant Technical Cooperation Department and Mr David Ekow Appiah, the National Development Programme Officer of IOM.

The Rev Frank Peprah Twumasi, the Chief Executive Officer of Scholars In-Transit, an Nkoranza-based NGO, told the Ghana News Agency at Nkoranza that the NGO was working in collaboration with IOM to control illegal migration by the youth in the area.

He said Nkoranza has for years been noted as the transit point to Libya and other foreign countries such as Italy, Spain and Germany and because of the dangers associated with illegal migration the two organizations had engaged the unemployed youth in economic activities.

Ms Epstein appealed to stakeholders and opinion leaders to assist in embarking on advocacy programmes against illegal migration.

She said IOM had been counselling the youth on how to acquire relevant travel documents.

Mr. Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, the Nkoranza District Chief Executive, expressed regret about how some youth in the area had become stranded in countries like Italy, Spain and Germany.

Okatakyie Agyemang Kudom IV, Omanhene of Nkoranza, commended the delegation for the concern shown to the plight of the people and assured the two organizations that the traditional council would support any activity and programme that would offer jobs to the youth.