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Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, has expressed disappointment at the US government’s decision to impose visa sanctions on Ghana.

Speaking in an interview on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', she said: “the sanctions imposed on Ghana are without any justification whatsoever.”

“as is the requirement, and, in accordance with international law, the Ghana embassy in Washington D.C. undertakes identification and verification processes to ensure that all persons earmarked for deportation to Ghana are bonafide citizens of Ghana. All countries undertake these processes to accept their deported citizens from all over the world and it is not peculiar to Ghana and the U.S. The identification and verification mechanisms have stipulated timelines and procedures which are communicated to the deporting authorities at all times.

“It should be noted that as of 8 January 2019, our Washington mission had received 28 applications from the U.S. authorities out of which 19 has been interviewed by the embassy and 11 travelling certificates issued for their travel to Ghana. Those outstanding are as a result of doubts on their Ghanaian nationality, ill health, and pending litigation in U.S. courts.”

Background

The US’ Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State issued visa sanctions on Ghana earlier this month citing “lack of cooperation” on the part of Ghana government in accepting its citizens ordered removed from the US.

In a statement, the US’ Homeland Security said Ghana has “denied or unreasonably delayed accepting their nationals ordered removed from the United States.”

As a result, the US has temporarily placed visa restrictions on certain categories of applicants from Ghana, including domestic employees of Ghanaian diplomats posted in the US until cooperation is deemed satisfactory.