Illegal immigrants, who have overstayed their 90 day free period in the country, have been asked to report themselves to the nearest Immigration office for necessary advice.
The Migrant Labour General Workers’ Union (MLGWU), a migrants’ trade union in the country which made the call further asked the general public to assist the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) with necessary information to ascertain the status and purposes of immigrants in the country.
Per Ghana’s immigration laws, Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) nationals travelling into the country have a free permit to stay in the country up to 90 days, after which they are to seek legal permit from the GIS.
These were contained in a statement signed by the Union’s General Secretary, Justice Baako Ntramah, and copied to the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday.
The statement comes in a wake of reports of some Nigerians attacking immigration officers who were said to have gone to check on their residence permits.
According to reports, the foreigners were heard hurling insults and invectives at the Ghanaian officers, calling the Ghanaian officials thieves.
The vehicle of the immigration officers was blocked with cement blocks and wooden crates by the foreigners.
The Union therefore, urged the government of Ghana to deal with foreigners who infringe on the country’s laws and not be lenient on them due to their country’s affiliation to ECOWAS, adding that, “Government of Ghana must do everything possible to preserve its integrity”.
The statement said the Union would not tolerate any subversive behaviour and any criminal activities by immigrant foreigners which might endanger state security, harm public interests or disrupt public order in the country.
It therefore called on immigrant foreigners to obey and abide by the rules of the country.
BY TIMES REPORTER
