The United States of America has threatened Ghana with visa restrictions.
The threat follows Ghana’s failure to issue traveling documents to its citizens awaiting deportation.
The American government said on Wednesday that Ghana is not complying with international obligations “regarding issuance of travel documents.”
In a statement the US government says “In December 2016, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified Ghana as being at risk of non-compliance on removals of those under deportation orders.
Since then, the U.S. government has repeatedly engaged the Government of Ghana in both Washington, D.C., and Accra and has urged the government to abide by its international obligations”.
The statement says Ghana needs to “issue the necessary travel documents so that Ghanaians under deportation orders may depart the United States on commercial flights.
Implications for Ghana
The US says “If Ghana fails to comply with international obligations regarding the issuance of travel documents,
The United States may be forced to begin implementing visa restrictions on Ghana, in accordance with U.S. law.”
Why the need for traveling documents
The American government says issuing of traveling documents “helps to facilitate deportees’ departure on commercial flights.
When the Government of Ghana fails to meet its ICAO obligation regarding the regular issuance of travel documents, the U.S. government is forced to employ charter flights for deportations.
Ghana has the power to reduce, or even end, the use of charter flights by meeting its obligation to issue travel documents in a timely manner”.
Three months ago the US government deported over eighty Ghanaians for various immigration offences.
Those deported were said to have abused the terms of their visas and engaging in illegal employment.
Over 7000 others were also due to be deported but require traveling documents to enable their deportation to Ghana.
Source: Africafeeds.com
