Ghana is fighting the United States for visa restrictions; suggests that the US government lied

General News of Saturday, February 2, 2019

Source: 3news.com

2019-02-02

Ghana categorically rejected claims by the US government that it would have unreasonably failed or delayed issuing travel documents to some illegal Ghanaian immigrants under US expulsion orders.

On Jan. 31, the US government announced visa penalties against Ghana because it said it had failed to comply with its obligations under international human rights law. accept the return of its 7,000 nationals expelled from the United States.

The United States Government has stated that since July 2016 it has been engaged with the Government of Ghana in Washington and Accra on this issue, but that the necessary results have not been achieved.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has therefore ordered consular officials in Ghana to introduce visa restrictions for certain categories of visa applicants as of February 4.

The restriction is expected to last until Ghana cooperates with US authorities to bring immigrants home.

However, a statement from the Ghanaian Foreign Ministry says the US claims can not be accurate, as Ghana is in constant communication with the US authorities over the issue that would have dragged on in July 2016.

"The department is keen to say that it has always cooperated with US authorities in the processing and removal of Ghanaian citizens who have been cited to be deported from the United States to Ghana.

"The ministry wants to declare that these allegations are unfounded and that the sanctions imposed on Ghana are absolutely unjustified," the statement said.

Ghana, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, badures in all possible ways that the said immigrants are Ghanaians before providing them with these travel documents to enter Ghana.

"In accordance with the requirements and international law, the Embbady of Ghana in Washington DC is implementing identification and verification processes to ensure that all persons designated to be deported to Ghana are citizens of Ghana." sincerity.

"It should be noted that as of January 8, 2019, our mission in Washington had received twenty-eight (28) requests from US authorities, nineteen (19) of which had been interviewed by the Embbady and eleven (11) certificates of travel issued or their trip to Ghana.

Those who were not allowed to deport are still in the United States because the ministry said their identity as Ghanaians could not be proven and therefore could not be admitted into the country.

"The people in suspense are the result of doubts about their Ghanaian nationality, their state of health and the litigation pending in the US courts," the statement said.

The ministry expressed disappointment over the US authorities' decision to restrict visas to Ghanaians wishing to enter the United States.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration notes with concern and disappointment the decision of the US authorities to impose visa penalties in Ghana for alleged lack of cooperation in the United States. acceptance of Ghanaian nationals who have been expelled from the United States. "

Nevertheless, the ministry said it would do its utmost to ensure that Ghanaian immigrants to the United States who are to be deported are returned home with dignity.

"Ghana, as a sovereign country, has a duty to continue to protect its citizens all over the world and will continue to do so, including by ensuring that the appropriate procedures are implemented for all matters concerning its citizens. are cited for expulsion from other countries. "

Measures will be put in place in international law to ensure that the situation is resolved, he added.