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Tag: Ghana

  • FG kicks as Ghana deports 773 Nigerians

    FG kicks as Ghana deports 773 Nigerians

    The Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Amb. Michael Abikoye, has protested the inhuman treatment of Nigerians by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) with the deportation of 723 Nigerians between 2018 and 2019.

    Abikoye said this at a meeting between him and the Comptroller-General of GIS, Kwame Takyi, in Ghana, with report obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The High Commissioner said that 723 Nigerians were deported on alleged illegal stay, cybercrime and prostitution between the January 2018 and January 2019.

    According to him, 81 Nigerians are deported on alleged cybercrime and illegal stay in January, while 115 have so far been deported in February on the allegation of overstay and prostitution.

    The High commissioner cautioned against inhuman treatment of Nigerians by Ghana, warning that any form of torture or ill treatment of Nigerians would not be acceptable to Nigerian Government.

    He said, though the High Commission would not condone any form of criminality on the part of Nigerians, saying that inhuman treatment and alleged torture of some Nigerians in Ghana would no longer be tolerated.

    “Although, the GIS had linked prostitution and cybercrimes as some of the reasons for the deportation, it is improper to deport Nigerians for alleged illegal stay in Ghana.

    “There are several Ghanaians living in Nigeria and the Nigeria Immigration Service has never deported any of them on ground of illegal stay, because of a sense of brotherliness between our countries,” he said

    The Ambassador, therefore, presented to the CG a copy of the Mission’s records on deportations of Nigerians from January 2018 till date.

    He expressed displeasure that Nigerians were not being fairly treated, stressing that there had been reported cases of molestation, harassment and torture of Nigerians by GIS officials, especially those awaiting deportation at the GIS’s detention facility.

    The Ambassador also showed photos of some of them who sustained injuries on their legs, arms and eyes in the process of the torture.

    According to him, the inhuman act was against the United Nations Convention against Torture.

    He appealed to the CG to prevail on his officials to treat Nigerians and other ECOWAS nationals with human face, caution and not as common criminals.

    Abikoye expressed displeasure on the long detention of Nigerians in the GIS custody after proper documentation and issuance of Emergency Travel Certificate for their repatriation by the High Commission.

    He appealed that considering the poor state of the GIS’s facility; the Ghana Immigration Service should expedite action in their early repatriation to Nigeria immediately after the issuance of Emergency Travel Certificates.

    In his response, the CG acknowledged the existing bilateral relationship between the two countries as earlier pointed by Abikoye.

    According to Takyi, the GIS are being compelled to carry out repatriation because of the conduct of some Nigerian nationals in Ghana.

    He alleged that besides engaging in cybercrime and prostitution, “some Nigerians had become laws in themselves; they do road blockages in major Ghanaian streets where they drink, fight and stab one another.

    “This unruly behaviour” which contravenes the local laws in Ghana has led to directive from higher authority for their arrests and eventual deportation of those who do not have the requisite immigration papers.”

    The CG, however, promised to investigate alleged torture of some Nigerians.

    He, however, showed the Ambassador a video of some Nigerians, obstructing justice by preventing the official vehicle of the GIS the right of way after arresting a Nigerian in Kasoa area.

    The report said that the incessant deportation of Nigerians and alleged inhuman treatment of some of them, had once again brought to fore, the urgent need for Nigerian Government to hasten on earlier proposal to fix a date for hosting of the Ghana and Nigeria Permanent Joint Commission meeting.

     

  • Looters now stash funds in Seychelles, South Africa, Niger, Ghana – Magu

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, Friday said looters now stash illicit funds in Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa, Niger Republic, Morocco and other African countries.

    He said the preferred destinations for looters had traditionally been the United Kingdom, United States, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Seychelles, but they are now expanding fast to African countries.

    Magu made the disclosure at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between EFCC and its Nigerien counterpart, the High Authority Against Corruption and Relating Crimes( HALCIA), in Niamey.

    He said: “From available intelligence and our investigations, it has been revealed that looters from Nigeria now go to Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Niger Republic, Morocco, Seychelles and so on, to stash their loots.

    “This has led to sharp increase in the number of Nigerians buying properties in African countries.

    “Nigerians even go to the extent of changing their names and acquiring the destination countries’ international passports in collusion with corrupt public officers in their countries of residence in order to hide their identities and evade detection,” he said, adding that, “the fight of the EFCC against looters’ safe havens is total.”

    The EFCC boss further disclosed that his visit to Niger was part of his ongoing tour at mobilising international effortsto deny looters safe haven abroad.

    He said: “We have already visited Ghana and Cameroun, today we are in Niger Republic and we will continue to reach out to other preferred looters destinations in Africa and beyond. Interestingly, the efforts of the Nigerian Government to trace, recover and return assets stolen from Nigeria coupled with our increased advocacy to discourage safe havens have begun to yield results.

    “It is my conviction that our collaborative efforts will go a long way in eliminating safe havens. In fact, this is in tandem with renewed global commitment by countries to shut their doors to stolen funds.

    “I also want to call for conscious measures to sanitize and strengthen the legal framework so as to make it difficult for looters to transfer illicit funds to Niger Republic for investment or whatever purpose.”

    Magu called on the global community to redouble its efforts towards strengthening the mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for proceeds of corruption.

    He also called on the international community to ensure the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.

    According to a statement by the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Tony Orilade, the MoU will strengthen the collaborative efforts between the EFCC and its Nigerien counterpart.

    Section seven of the MoU captures how the parties will exchange information, including those which are necessary to achieve its objectives.

    According to the section, “The parties will exchange information in accordance with this Memorandum of Understanding in conformity to the relevant laws of Niger and Nigeria relating to the protection of privacy and confidentiality.”

    To help the Commission take its fight against corruption to Nigerians looters who have found safe haven in Niger Republic, Magu made a five-point appeal to the President of Niger Republic, which are as follows:

    (i) Identifying huge cash in the financial system owned by Nigerians to enable us find out if they are looted funds/proceeds of crime.

    (ii) Identifying the numerous properties owned by Nigerians including the details of the owners in order to enable the Commission ascertain if such Nigerians acquired the properties from looted funds/proceeds of crime

    (iii) Stopping moves by persons who plan to move funds at this period through the usual medium to destabilize the political stage in Nigeria.

    (iv) Increased clamp down on Nigerians who are involved in cyber-crime and handing over their details to us for further necessary action.

    (v) Assisting the EFCC in the arrest of persons on the wanted list of the Commission who absconded to Niger Republic due to the free movement granted to citizens of the ECOWAS states.

    The EFCC boss praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the Commission, noting that “Nigeria is ready and willing to partner with international agencies and individual countries on bilateral basis to confront crimes and corruption.”

    While meeting with the parliamentarians, at the Assemblee Nationale, Magu told the second Vice President, Mohamadou, that, there was the need to rework existing legislations in Niger to help strengthen anti-corruption fight in the country.

    He also noted the need for the country to domesticate the United Nation’s Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in order to make its meaning and impact bear on the lives of the country’s citizens.

    While decorating the Nigerian Ambassador to Niger Republic, Ambassador Haliru and all the embassy staff with the EFCC lapel, Magu urged them to acknowledge the anti-corruption fight as a collective one.

    “Whether you are at home in Nigeria or in the Diaspora, you need to make your contribution. Add your voice to the crusade against corruption. The fight is real. Don’t also forget that corruption is fighting back, but together, we shall win,” he said.

    Ambassador Haliru, in turn, praised the EFCC boss for his zeal and passion for the job. “We are hearing and seeing all your achievements in the fight against corruption. We are praying to God Almighty to give you good health and long life to confront the corrupt”.

    For the President of HALCIA, Abdourmane Gousmane, there is no better time than now for stronger collaboration between Nigeria and Niger Republic in the fight against corruption.

    “We are ready and willing to partner with Nigeria. Nigeria has the experience and the human capacity and with President Muhammadu Buhari, who is a renowned anti-corruption icon, we have no choice than to leverage on Nigeria for capacity building in taming the corruption monster,” Gousmane said.

    One of the side attractions of the visit was Gousmane’s presentation of a horse as a special gift to Magu.

  • U.S. slams visa restrictions on Ghana

    U.S. slams visa restrictions on Ghana

    The United States said on Thursday it was imposing visa restrictions on Ghana, accusing the African country of not cooperating in accepting its citizens ordered removed from the United States.

    U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo “has ordered consular officers in Ghana to implement visa restrictions on certain categories of visa applicants,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement.

    “Without an appropriate response from Ghana, the scope of these sanctions may be expanded to a wider population,” the statement said.

    “Ghana has failed to live up to its obligations under international law to accept the return of its nationals ordered removed from the United States,” said DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.

    “We hope the Ghanaian government will work with us to reconcile these deficiencies quickly,” she said.

  • Just In: Investigative journalist shot dead in Ghana

    Just In: Investigative journalist shot dead in Ghana

    A Ghanaian undercover journalist has been shot dead as he drove home, after a politician called for retribution against him.

    Local media reports say unidentified men on motorbikes shot Ahmed Hussein-Suale three times in the capital Accra.

    He was a member of Tiger Eye Private Investigations and had investigated corruption in Ghana’s football leagues.

    The undercover report on cash gifts led to a lifetime ban for the former head of Ghana’s Football Association.

    BBC Africa Eye made a documentary about the scandal in 2018 after gaining access to the investigation led by controversial journalist Anas Aremayaw Anas, who runs Tiger Eye.

    Ahmed body has reportedly been taken to the Police Hospital Morgue and will be buried soon.

  • U-20 WAFU Cup: Flying Eagles defeat Ghana, to face Mali in semi-final

    U-20 WAFU Cup: Flying Eagles defeat Ghana, to face Mali in semi-final

    Nigeria’s U-20 team, Flying Eagles, on Wednesday reached the semi finals of the WAFU U-20 Championship in Togo with a come-from-behind 4-2 win over the Black Satellites of Ghana.

    Paul Aigbogun’s men who were held to a goalless draw by Niger in their opening game in the competition finished top of Group B with four points.

    The Flying Eagles will face Mali in the semi-final 2018 U-20 WAFU Cup, while Niger will do battle with Senegal in the other last four clash.

  • Omotola laments over devaluation of naira

    Nigerian screen diva, Omotola Jalade has lamented over the devaluation of the naira.

    The stunning actress and filmmaker made this known during her visit to Ghana over the weekend.

     

    A bemused Omotola revealed that she was shocked when she exchanged N10,000 in Ghana and It was only worth c120 (One hundred and twenty cedis).

     

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqp0wcKhjmK/

     

     

     

     

     

    In her words:”Okay… So Economists , come and analyze oh… this Amongst other things was quite alarming on my trip to Ghana.

    Hmm… I changed N10,000 (Ten thousand Naira) and it was only worth …..
    C120 ( One hundred and twenty cedis)
    Not C1,200 and certainly not 12,000 cedis but a mere 120 cedis!!!
    1 dollar in ghana is 4.8 cedis !

    #Ghanamustgo and they have Gone, are they moving faster than us?
    I don’t want to talk about the airport , Tubaba has already talked about that but I forgot both my phones while signing the immigration cards, about 10mins later, it was announced to pick them up at guest services! Ha!
    #GiantofAfrica ? #Getbusy #Getbusy #Getbusy ???. Abi? I’m I missing something?”

     

     

    In the same vein , Nigerian music star, 2face Idibia who was in Ghana over the weekend also lamented about the state of Nigerian airports.

     

    Nigerian leaders are not ashamed- 2face declares

  • 2018 AWCON: Hosts Ghana bundled out as Cameroon, Mali progress to semi-finals

    Hosts Ghana have been sent packing from the 2018 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON), finishing third in Group A as Mali makes a first-ever semi-finals appearance after six attempts.

    Group leaders Cameroon who finished with seven points will join Mali with six points to the next round.

    Ghana who obtained four points and Algeria with no point are eliminated after three matches each.

    Cameroon drew 1-1 with Ghana while Algeria succumbed to a 2-3 loss Mali in their last group games played simultaneously at the Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Stadium respectively.

    It was disappointing for the Ghana fans, especially as the Black Queens had boasted of winning the tournament.

    The team’s coach Bashir Hayford, prior to the event’s kickoff, had said: “This tournament is very important for Ghanaians, as it is the first time the nation has the privilege to host it.

    “We have this twin words, HOST and WIN and that is exactly what we are working towards,” he assured.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association on its twitter handle @ghanafaofficial wrote on Friday: “It’s ok, we try again next time and once again thanks for your support”.

    The last Group B matches will take place on Saturday to determine teams to join the qualified duo in Group A for the semi-finals.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the top three of the semi-finals quartet will earn tickets to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France next year.

  • Flying Eagles to face Ghana, Benin in WAFU tournament

    Flying Eagles to face Ghana, Benin in WAFU tournament

    Nigeria’s national under-20 side will face their counterparts from Ghana, Niger Republic and Benin Republic in Group B of the WAFU Under-20 Cup Tournament, an official said on Tuesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition is billed for Lome, the capital of Togo from Dec. 6 to Dec. 16.

    Organisers have put the competition together as a major preparatory programme for the sub-region’s five teams which have qualified to participate at the 2019 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations finals.

    The competition is holding in Tanzania from Feb. 2 to Feb. 17.

    Seven-time champions Nigeria, alongside Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Niger Republic will take part in the 11–day tournament in Lome.

    The five countries will be joined in Tanzania by Burundi, Angola and the host nation.

    The Flying Eagles come up against the Young Squirrels of Benin in their first match of the tournament on December 7.

    This is before matches against Junior Mena of Niger Republic (Dec. 9) and Ghana’s Black Satellites (Dec. 12).

    The eight–nation tournament will see hosts Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Senegal contending in Group A.

    Matches have been scheduled for the Stade Municipal and the Stade JCA, both in Lome.

    Togo and Cote d’Ivoire will battle it out in the opening match on Dec. 6, hours before Senegal confront Burkina Faso.

    Both matches will come up at the Stade Municipal, which is also venue for the final match on Dec,16.

  • Nigerian woman commits suicide in Ghana

    Nigerian woman commits suicide in Ghana

    Following the closure of her shops by Ghanaian authorities, a Nigerian woman and mother of three children has committed suicide, the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTs), Ghana Chapter, reported in Abuja on Tuesday.
    The association made the development known when the leadership visited the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to seek the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari on the matter.
    The President of NANTS, Ghana, Chief Chukwuemeka Nnaji, said Mrs Stella Ogonna Okpaleke, a Nigerian whose shops were locked for her failure to meet strict trading conditions put by the Ghana Government committed suicide on Sept. 22.
    Nnaji, armed with a petition to Buhari, called for the intervention of the Federal Government over the alleged maltreatment of Nigerian businessmen in Ghana.
    “Regrettably on Saturday, Sept. 22, one of our female members, Mrs Stella Ogonna Okpaleke, whose shop has been under lock and key by the Ghana authority committed suicide.
    “She committed suicide based on her shop and that of her husband that were locked; the information we gathered was that when they locked the shop she lost hope of reopening it.
    “She is from Nnewi Local Government (Area) in Anambra; we actually don’t know how much she owed, but we learnt that she took loan for her business,” he said.
    According to him, the harassment on the Nigerian community and traders in Kumasi, Ghana, is so severe.
    “It is unfortunate that that very woman decided to take her own life,” Nnaji said and called on Buhari to urgently intervene to avert similar incidents in the future.
    He said Nigerian traders were being unnecessarily stressed by Ghanaian authorities.
    In her remark, Dabiri-Erewa expressed the Federal Government’s condolences to the union and the family of the deceased.
    She appealed to members of the union to remain calm and assured them that the president would intervene in their case to ensure a lasting solution to the problem.
    “I am just going to start by appealing to you, I know it is painful, it is emotional, it is deep but I just urge you to remain calm.
    “I appeal to you to remain calm and may the soul of Stella rest in perfect peace.
    “When she is about to be buried, let us know so that we may send our condolence message to the family,” she said.
    Recall that Nigerian traders were shut out of their business premises in line with an eviction order of July 27.
    The Ghanaian authority is demanding that traders must have one million dollars as minimum foreign investment capital to do business in Ghana as stipulated in its Ministry of Trade and Industry Act, 2013.
     

  • Melania Trump shuns Nigeria as she begins 4-day visit to Africa

    Melania Trump on Monday afternoon boarded Executive One, the government jet assigned for her travel, and left the United States for Africa on her first major solo journey as first lady.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Melania is billed to visit Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt, with Nigeria left out of her itineraries.
    While details of her visit widely remain imprecise, the first lady is expected to make stops at local schools and hospitals visiting with children and taking in regional cultural experiences.
    Also, Melania is expected to be promoting her “Be Best” platform of helping kids in a broad spectrum of categories, ranging from wellness to cyberbullying.
    “When I launched ‘Be Best,’ it was with the goal of combating some of the issues that children face today by shining a spotlight on successful programs and organizations that teach children the tools and skills needed for emotional, social and physical well-being.
    “Since the launch, I have had the opportunity to meet children all over the world, with the goal of talking to them about the importance of healthy living and responsible habits,” the first lady stated in New York City last week.
    In Ghana and Malawi, Trump said in her remarks that she will focus on health care and education, joining on the trip with USAID to see which programs are working to support each country.
    Similarly, in Kenya, early education and disease prevention and care are on her agenda, as is conservation.
    In Egypt, Trump will likely visit that country’s most popular tourism site, the Great Pyramids.
    “I know that through USAID, we have worked with the people of Egypt to promote an environment in which all groups of society — including women and religious minorities — can lead productive and healthy lives,” she said.