Ghanaian and two Nigerians released from Trinidad and Tobago prison – thanks to Akufo-Addo

General News on Friday, June 14, 2019

Source: Myjoyonline.com

2019-06-14

A Ghanaian and two Nigerians incarcerated in Trinidad and Tobago for various immigration offenses are about to recover their freedom after President Akufo-Addo's intervention.

The Ghanaian, Musa Ibrahim, was arrested by agents of the Trinidad and Tobago border agency while traveling by sea with his child in neighboring Venezuela. During his arrest, they asked that he call his wife so that she would show up at the immigration office to prove that he had links with Trinidad and Tobago. Tobago. When his wife responded to the request, officials handed him the couple's daughter and imprisoned him.

Nana Akufo-Addo, who is on a five-day tour of the Caribbean region, urged Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Keith Rowley to pardon the immigrant when the two leaders held a bilateral meeting in the Caribbean. the frame of his visit.

"I have good news. the Ghanaian jailed for immigration problems, Prime Minister Rowley badured me that he was going to be released. This is for the honor of my visit, "he told the Ghanaian community.

Few things were said about the other two West African nationals who also benefited from the visit, but the Ghanaian leader informed the gathering that they would also be released, integrated into the community and allowed to stay.

The president also advised Ghanaians who are planning to visit the island of a population of 1.3 million residents to abide by the laws of this country and live in peace with the people.

"You can enter this country without a visa. It is therefore not necessary to place oneself on the wrong side of the immigration authority. If you come [here and you want] stay, follow the process and stay … "he advised.

Return year

The tour in the Caribbean is part of the promotional efforts of "Year of Return" – the event planned by Ghana to mark the 400th anniversary of the first recorded arrival in America's slaves. 39, West Africa.

The year 2019 marks the 400th anniversary of the first recorded arrival, in 1619, of the first twenty enslaved Africans in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which was to be part of the United States of America, initiating some of the most barbaric episodes in the world. human history – transatlantic slave trade and slavery.

President Akufo-Addo invited the people of Trinidad and Tobago to visit Ghana in this "Year of Return".

According to President Akufo-Addo, Ghana recognizes its unique position as a location for 75% of the slave dungeons built on the west coast of Africa, through which slaves have were transported, adding that "we have a responsibility and we extend a welcome hand home for Africans in the diaspora. "

The president hoped that "this year would be a joyful and rewarding experience for all of us, especially in affirming our determination never to allow the African people to allow themselves to submit to such dehumanizing conditions". slavery, and their freedoms are reduced in order to forcibly constitute countries different from their own. "

President Akufo-Addo said this on Thursday, June 13, 2019, when he addressed the media after holding bilateral talks with Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Keith Rowley.

Following the launch of the "Year of Return" in Washington, Ghana continued with the Full Circle Festival of December 2018, which was attended by more than 70 African-American celebrities visiting Ghana to reconnect with their ancestral heritage.

In addition, the Summit on Coming and Investment, the Forum on African-American Investment, the Pan-African Day Celebrations and Emancipation, the Jamestown Durbar in Jamestown, the Festival The film and the Full Circle Festival are among the activities that will be held to commemorate the event a year.

"The commemoration should allow us, within the African Union, to consolidate and strengthen our ties with our sixth region, the African diaspora of the so-called" new world ", which have some slept, to make operational and extend freedom. Movement Protocol to people of the diaspora seeking to resettle in Africa, "said the President.