Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed that Ghana did not benefit from the 14 African Refugees US Deported to Ghana adding that it was purely on humanitarian grounds and Pan African solidarity.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Addressing the media on Monday at the Government Accountability series, the Minister emphasized that this is not the first time Ghana has received Refugees on a compassionate and Humanitarian Grounds.
It would be recalled the Refugees issue was first mentioned by President Mahama during the media encounter last week.
But the North Tongu Member of Parliament explained that President Mahama carried a full disclosure on the refugees issue because he believes in the principles of transparency and accountability maintaining that the President has absolutely nothing to hide.
“It is important to stress and to state unequivocally Ghana has not received and does not seek any financial compensation or material benefit in relation to this understanding” Hon. Ablakwa emphasized.
According to him, the decision was grounded purely on humanitarian principle and Pan -African solidarity to offer temporary refuge when needed to prevent further human suffering and to maintain Ghana’s credibility as a responsible regional actor.
“Ghana’s decision must be understood as an act of Pan African empathy , it is not transactional. Like Rwanda , Eswatini, Uganda, South Sudan who are welcoming fellow Africans, we are standing up for our brothers and sisters in distress”, he noted.
He indicated however that the gesture should not be construed as an endorsement of immigration policy of the Trump administration.
The Foreign Affairs Minister also revealed that under the understanding Ghana is obliged to vet the refugees to ensure they don’t become a threat to our national security.
The Minister later itemized some successes chalked in the eight months of administration including the intriduction of chip embedded passport, same day passport delivery service, elimination of “goro” boys and proposed establishment of 7 Passport application centres beginning with Bolgatanga which comes off next month.
Others are reclaiming all sold Ministry’s lands at Airport Residential, aborting illegal sale of diplomatic property in Nigeria among others.
Source :www.senaradioonline.com
