168 Ghanaians In Libya Expected Back Home

In the wake of reported cases of modern day slavery in Libya, coupled with immigration offences by some Ghanaians, government has made arrangements for 168 Ghanaians to be repatriated.

They are expected back home today [Wednesday] on a chartered flight, according to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Mohammad Tijani.

Checks by Graphic Online at the Ghana Immigration Service indicates that the chartered flight is expected around 3pm.

In a radio interview on Accra based Starr FM Wednesday morning, the Deputy Minister stated that no Ghanaian has been involved in the slave trade reported in Libya.

According to the minister, all Ghanaians being detained in Libya are being held on illegal immigration charges and not being traded as slaves as earlier reported.

There are reports of migrant slave auctions in Libya exposed in a CNN investigation.

The Libyan officials have denounced the menace but claimed more support is required from the global community to tackle the issue.

The Libyan authorities have set a committee to investigate the auctions and asked the international community to intensify in a spirit of responsibility and joint cooperation to assist Libya.

They have said they are keen to address violations against illegal immigrants but called upon regional and global partners to provide assistance.

Libya “is going through difficult times which affected its own citizens as well. It is, therefore, not fair to assume responsibility for the consequences of this immigration, which everyone unanimously agreed that addressing this phenomenon exceeds the national capacities,” the United Nations-backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) said in a statement.

“We affirm again that the practical solution is to address the real reasons that drive people to leave their home countries, treat them and develop final solutions for them,” the statement continued.

Detainees

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said all 168 Ghanaians have been detained in various detention centers in Libya on charges of illegal immigration.

In a statement, the Ministry explained this was discovered when the Ghana Mission in Malta, with concurrent accreditation from Libya, paid a consular visit to the three detention centers following the disturbing reports of modern day slavery.

The 168 detained Ghanaians, according to the Ministry, have been issued with the necessary travel documents to facilitate their repatriation to Ghana.

Source: Graphiconline