Bid to move UK teenagers in Ghana

The British High Commission (BHC) is in talks with Ghanaian officials to get two girls accused of drugs smuggling moved to a more "suitable" prison.

Yasemin Vatansever and Yatunde Diya, both aged 16 and from London, were held as they tried to board a plane in Accra while allegedly carrying cocaine.

A BHC spokesman said he hoped they would be moved to a "more appropriate" secure juvenile correction centre.

If found guilty the pair could face at least 10 years in jail.

The girls, who are next due in court on Wednesday, say they were not aware that drugs - said to be worth about £300,000 - were in their luggage.

They were arrested on 2 July and held for several days in cells at the police headquarters in Accra.

On Friday they were moved to the headquarters of the narcotics control board where they are sharing a cell which has a shower and a toilet.

Family members have not yet visited the girls but have said they are confident the country`s legal system will bring about justice.

Fair Trials Abroad is ensuring the girls have proper legal representation in Ghana and is providing support to their families in the UK.

Yasemin is the daughter of immigrants from Cyprus, while Yatunde is of Nigerian descent. Both are UK citizens.

The Foreign Office said the pair were arrested at Kotoka International Airport, in Accra, and had been charged with possessing and attempting to export an illegal substance.

Ghanaian authorities were said to have found the drugs in laptop bags carried by the girls.

Two Ghanaian men apparently paid for the teenagers` accommodation in Accra.

The girls have told police the men gave them the laptop bags.