9,408 Irregular Ghanaian Migrants Deported

Statistics from the Migration Consultation Centre in Sunyani and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reveal the 9,408 irregular Ghanaian migrants have been deported since 2007, with the Brong Ahafo Region recording the highest number of persons deported. Out of the total number of Ghanaians deported, the Brong Ahafo Region recorded 3,220, the highest among the 10 regions in the country. Nkoranza in the Brong Ahafo Region has been identified by the Migration Consultation Centre and IOM as the hub where most of the irregular migrants moved from to Libya and subsequently to Europe. Statistics from IOM shows that since January this year to December 8, 2014, 3,166 irregular migrants who used the Mediterranean lost their lives. This was revealed in Sunyani during the celebration of this year�s International Migrant Day. There was a film show to educate the youth on the dangers of using the Sahara Desert and other illegal means to travel to Libya. ACOI Justice Bosomtwe-Ayensu, second-in-command of the Ghana Immigration Service in the Brong Ahafo Region, briefing the media, said, "In 2011 the statistics were National, 1,065; Brong Ahafo, 489, representing 46%; 2012: National, 1,196; Brong Ahafo, 503, representing 42%; and 2013: National, 3,080; Brong Ahafo, 941, representing 31%." Officer in charge of the Migration Consultation Centre, DSI Alhassan Haruna noted that more youth in the Brong Ahafo are using illegal means to travel to Libya, and subsequently to Europe. DSI Alhassan said the centre is in talks with the Omanhene of the Nkoranza Traditional Area, Nana Okatakyie Agyemang Kodom IV, and the Municipal Assembly to get an office accommodation for the centre to help educate the youth in the area. He said the Centre has identified that most of the youth who embark on this dangerous journey are people with low level of education. The Krontihene of the Sunyani Traditional Council, Nana Bofotia Boamposem I, has called for collaboration between traditional rulers and political heads in the region to fight illegal migration.