<<Print>>

Fellow Ghanaians,

Are we in hell?

Let’s talk about this;

Amongst the many issues about societal behavious I ponder over, a major one of great concern is the African Migration.

The uncontrollable rate at which the African people illegally migrate to other countries in search of “better lives” is the main hindrance to our progress as a continent and this must not be left untackled.

I know this won’t sit well with some of our brothers and sisters away from home or those intending to leave for good but it’s just about time this canker demonising our beautiful society is faced.

The U.S Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson in a video making circulation, mentions Ghana is one of the top countries whose nationals overstay their business and visitors’ visas. He further reveals majority of Ghanaians in the U.S are currently undergoing deportation processes for either overstaying or committing various crimes and these occurrences, he attributes to the stringent scrutiny a visa applicant has to go through at the U.S. Embassy Ghana in order to visit the U.S.A.

Upon receiving a copy of the video in circulation, I have taken to my WhatsApp status to advise my contacts in the screenshot attached; however, I think this needs a wider publication.

Some friends have provided the U.S “Entry/Exit Overstay Report” for the 2020 Fiscal Year to counter the Ambassador’s claims; notwithstanding, I perceive “some” accuracy in his claims with the below reasons;

Why do we perceive everyone has a great life full of riches in the West? This perception is utterly FALSE and must not find its way into the upcoming generation. The current generation have a duty to ensure this, with you and I in charge. If this was true, our family and friends abroad would have made life heaven for us this side. They work so hard (harder than they would have worked at home) to make a living both abroad and home. There is more action than just desires in the west. Nothing good comes easy, they say and it is true.

Why do we end up in churches fasting and praying to move to the west? Why? This bothers me so much and I keep wondering whether the people in the west do same when they want to visit the African continent. Certainly, it is not the case for them and you know why? They have worked harder to create a sufficient system for themselves. Let’s do same. It is a shared responsibility and not the sole responsibility of the people we give power to! The mindset of a football team comes to play here. Each and every player is important in the team achieving success at the end of the game. The only reason Manchester United will loose 4:0 to some infamous team is because team work was poor. We will continue to loose when we don’t change our mindset and strategy to play like one team hungry for success.

Let’s not be in a hurry to sell off our belongings just to make life worth living in another man’s country. Channel that energy into something beneficial here on the continent and make life worth living here to attract more visitors here too.

Anytime I travel, I see people especially the aged Africans work harder even in their old ages, yet they wouldn’t do a thing back home. I have wept sometimes and asked myself questions. I also see young and talented young Africans do all manner of jobs created by their fellow young and talented westerners which they would never do back home. Why? Why? Why?

This morning, as I entered Facebook, the first post I met was from my brother Kofi Asare with caption "Missing" Commonwealth Games athletes and delegates rises to "17" with Ghana, Cameroon and Bostwana cited as some countries where these ‘missing’ athletes are from. This is pathetic indeed!

Why would athletes given the opportunity to travel want to breach the requirements of their visas? Poor orientation about our continent and that of the West is the sole attribute to these occurrences from my perspective. Forget about bad economy. There is none perfect in the world! The ones close are occupied by law abiding and mostly hard working majority. Can we attribute same to the continent? Are we in hell?

From the pictorial description given about hell and hell fire, I do not see our situation anywhere close. If this is hell nonetheless and we don’t like it, then we better live chaste lives in order to serve eternity in heaven.

Whilst I do not side with rampant migration from the African continent in search of non-existing “better lives” elsewhere, let me quickly add that there are many factors that would compel an individual to move from one end of the world to the other. It is not bad to move to any place you want to for various legitimate reasons, however, use the appropriate means and honour the requirements of the immigration rules applicable to your grants.

I find it absurd when you have requested to travel for a short visit yet end up a lifetime in another country. If you intend to stay a lifetime or want to give up your nationality based on your own reasons, make it known to them. If they find your reasons legitimate and satisfying, your request may be granted.

Please, do not jeopardize the human right to movement from one end of the world to the other freely by abusing the privileges given you. Imagine if everyone and I mean everyone honoured their visa requirements; there would not be stringent scrutiny, long queues, profiteering and sometimes, inhumane treatments at embassies/consulate agents. Yes, it would be free movement any day and time from all walks of the world!

Travel, see, learn and return to impart. Enjoy the freedom you have with your country at least. There is more to life, make an impact wherever you find yourself. Don’t be a slave on a strange land when you are a prince (ss) in your homeland.

From the other angle I’m reviewing these happenings, I see voluntary slavery contrary to the historical slave trade stories. We turn ourselves in, uninvited to be used till we’re almost perishing, then return home to die. Why won’t the African continent be likened to a cemetery?

Let us start creating the change we desire. Like the great team we aspire to be with each player playing effectively, we shall change our story!

My name is Mavis Asante Appiah, I love positive change 🖤. Together let’s reorient ourselves and our associates.

God bless the reader!
God help our homeland Ghana!!
God help the African Continent!!!