The Ghana Association of Private Employment Agencies (GHAPEA), has applauded the Ghana Immigration Service for its proficient role which led to the arrest of four human traffickers in Ghana.
In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of GHAPEA, Rev Dr. Ocansey, the group lauded the service and encouraged it to do more to curb the increasing rate of the illegality.
“GHAPEA wishes to congratulate GIS for their diligence in stopping this new rapidly growing trend of human smuggling through Togo and Nigeria following the direct to home ban of domestic workers to the Gulf Countries,” she said
Rev Dr. Ocansey said the important move by the Ghana Immigration Service needs commendation especially in the wake of the temporary ban on direct to home transfer of domestic workers to the Gulf region.
The group also reiterated its commitment to ensure a sterile system of immigrant employment abroad.
“GHAPEA is committed to the sanitization of our industry and our 26 member recruitment agencies are dedicated to ensuring safe and decent jobs overseas for all Ghanaians,” Executive Secretary of GHAPEA Rev. Dr Ocansey added.
The Ghana Immigration Service through a sting operation arrested the four suspects at Aflao when they attempted to traffic forty-three girls to Saudi Arabia through Nigeria.
The four, including two Ghanaians, are Mohammed Nasiru 48 years, Mohammed Jabaru 26 years and two Nigerians, Dada Olakunle 45 years, Ifeanyi Chike 46 years.
Confirming the arrest to Citi News, the Head of Public Affairs Unit of the Ghana Immigration Service, DSI Michael Amoako Atta, said “On the ninth and tenth of this month (June), our Aflao Sector command brought about forty three young Ghanaian ladies who were being trafficked to Saudi Arabia through Nigeria.”
“They were being trafficked by two Ghanaians and two Nigerians. After our initial investigations, we realized that they were able to mobilize the girls across the length and breadth of the country with promises of good jobs in Saudi, which some of the girls readily agreed to go along with. Some didn’t even inform their parents and they joined the wagon.”
He added that, his outfit is on guard at the land boarders following the ban on such travels by air.
He noted that “because of the ban on travel through Kotoka International Airport with these house-helps, the agents are trying to use the land boarders and we have put all our officers on high alert and that has resulted in this arrest.”
DSI Amoako Atta reiterated that the Service is committed to implement government’s legislation in the sector.
“For us as an institution of state mandated to keep the integrity of our boarders, we are complying with government’s directive to make sure that right thing is done. We are still investigating as they may be some bigger fishes behind who maybe using these four guys to do this business. When we are able to lay hands on them, then we can say that we have a larger hold on the whole process. We have kept the girls at a safe place, when we get much information, we can use them as evidence for prosecution,” he said.
The ban was borne out of a petition made by GHAPEA to the Government of Ghana on May 30th, following growing concerns by young ladies who had fallen victims to unlicensed operators through the most dangerous form of migration
“We were pleased that the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, concurred and announced the ban. We were alarmed to hear of this new development of human smuggling, which is why are glad to hear that GIS is on such a high alert to be able to accomplish this feat. Together, we can be very effective for the sake of the safety and security of our ladies, and eradicate this new phenomenon.”
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)