Gov't To Repatriate 168 Ghanaian Detainees In Libya
The Ghana Mission in Malta has debunked claims that Ghanaian nationals in Libya are being sold into slavery.
According to a statement by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Ghanaian detainees have been rather arrested and kept in camps on illegal immigration charges.
The Mission recorded 168 Ghanaian detainees in Libya.
However, the government has issued the necessary travel documents to the Ghanaian nationals in Libya to "facilitate their repatriation to Ghana on a chartered flight with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), it may be put on record".
The government has asked returnees to "take advantage of the opportunities being provided by government to reintegrate properly and contribute to national development".
Read full statement below:
MIGRANTS SITUATION IN LIBYA
Following disturbing reports of Ghanaians being sold off as slaves in Libya, the Ghana Mission in Malta with concurrent accreditation to Libya, paid a consular visit to the three detention centres in Tripoli namely "Tajoora", "Trek Al Sika" and "Trek Matar".
The purpose was to ascertain the veracity of the claims, assess their condition and offer assistance to those detainees identified as Ghanaians among many other illegal migrants held at these centres.
It emerged that the One Hundred and Sixty Eight (168) Ghanaian detainees who were identified were not part of the slave trade as alleged but had rather been arrested on illegal immigration charges and were already being held in detention camps.
In view of the discovery, these undocumented Ghanaians were immediately issued with the necessary travel documents to facilitate their repatriation to Ghana on a chartered flight with support from the International Organization for Migrants (IOM), it may be put on record.
It is hoped that the returnees will take advantage of the opportunities being provided by government to reintegrate properly and contribute to national development.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration remains seized with the matter and shall keep the general public informed of any further developments.
Meanwhile, steps are also being taken to open a consulate in Libya following the closure of the Mission during the Libyan crisis.
Information and Public Affairs Bureau (IPAB) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Accra
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