The protocol of the regional bloc states that citizens of member states are allowed to enter any other ECOWAS country and stay there for up to 90 days without visas.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Kv8Q4B59vQntTiSSmNDpYUxno414Gawe”]According to the Immigration Service’s Head of Public Affairs, Superintendent Michael Amoako-Atta, the lack of strict rules governing the movement of persons across the borders is hindering the ability of the governments of West African nations to effectively manage entry into their territories.

“It’s not a question of a relaxed border. ECOWAS’ protocol says that citizens of member states can enter without visas and stay for 90 days and are free to move within the country and do whatever they want to do. There’s not enough restriction,” Superintendent Amoako-Atta told Citi News.

He intimated that the re-introduction of visa applications for entry into ECOWAS countries could help contain the numbers making their way across borders in West Africa.

“If you were to apply for a visa, based on information provided on the form you can be denied or approved,” he said.

100 deported

His comments come a day after the GIS announced that it had deported a hundred illegal immigrants from various African countries.

Based on some intelligence, the GIS embarked on swoops in some parts of Accra to apprehend nationals of other countries living in the country without the requisite documents.

Superintendent Amoako-Atta said that the number is a significant rise from similar action in 2016 when 20 immigrants were deported and 2017, which saw 58 people deported.

“We set up our intelligence gathering in some spots in the city and through that, we were able to make a lot of swoops leading to the arrest of mostly African migrants who were in the country and whose stay was in contravention of the immigration laws of the country,” he said.

The Immigration Service has said the deportations were in line with its commitment to support other security agencies to fight crime in the country.

The government has supported the service’s operations with 50 multi-purpose motorcycles to help combat criminal activities at the country’s borders and other entry points.

The news of the deportation follows the surge in criminal activity in some parts of the country resulting in a number of arrests including the detention of 22 Nigerians for allegedly engaging in cyber-crime.

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Relaxed ECOWAS policy cause of influx of illegal immigrants – GIS appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Generally, about 84,000 people applied to be employed across the country. But only five hundred are expected to be selected to join the Service nationwide, according to the Immigration Service.

Ghana’s youth unemployment has reached alarming levels as thousands of graduates pass out from the universities each year.

Citi News’ Felicia Osei reports that the applicants, made up of mostly unemployed youth are being taken through various stages including screening, body and height check.

The huge number of applicants has caused severe vehicular traffic as job seekers queue from the gates to gain entry into the stadium.

The Ghana Immigration Service on Wednesday cautioned the public to be wary of fraudsters parading themselves as officials of the Service in the ongoing recruitment exercise.

The Service said the deadline for the submission of applications online for recruitment has passed.

The Head of Public Affairs at the Immigration Service, Superintendent Michael Amoako-Attah, said some people are trying to take advantage of the ongoing process in order to defraud unsuspecting applicants.

According to him, the Service is no longer accepting applications, hence persons who attempt to sell application vouchers should be reported to the law enforcement agencies.

The Immigration Service’s decision to automate the recruitment process was anchored on the relative success of the process used in recent police and fire service recruitment exercises.

The use of the online portals and e-vouchers was to make the process more transparent and discourage the payment of bribes and the use of middlemen who defraud potential recruits.

And according to Superintendent Amoako-Attah, the process has been very secure, with applicants given unique numbers by which they could be tracked and communicated with.

“For those who are qualified, we have their numbers. We have a unique ID number for each qualified applicant. So from the first day they enrolled onto our database, we’ve been communicating with them, and they know the source of our information.”

The recruitment exercises in the various security agencies in the country have traditionally been fraught with challenges, particularly the activities of fraudsters who target potential recruits.

However, in recent times, the agencies have attempted to address these challenges by taking their processes online.

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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Over 15,000 undergo GIS recruitment exercise at El Wak Stadium appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Immigration Service boss was cited for contempt after he failed to comply with an order asking him to restore the work and residence permit of the businessman.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ztofSokixADZKU3cqJ6rq23NTE1mVcgH”]Explaining the reasons for his non appearance in court, a representative of the Attorney General, Jasmine Armah, told the court that Mr. Takyi had traveled on official duty with the Interior Minister.

She also told the court that they have filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal over the restoration order hence the non compliance.

Ashok Kumar Sivaram has been seeking for the restoration of his visa, since a court quashed a deportation order by the interior ministry.

AG’s stay of execution plea dismissed

The Court had earlier dismissed an application praying it for a stay of execution of an earlier judgment, ordering the Immigration Service to restore the work and residence visa of Ashok Kumar Sivaram.

The Presiding judge, Justice Naa Adoley Azu, explained that her decision was to prevent Mr. Ashok from being at the mercy of the Immigration Service, while dealing with his legal issues in Ghana.

She also dismissed the Attorney General’s argument that the non-granting of the stay application will amount to interference of the work of the Immigration Service as statutory bodies are not above the law.

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By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Indian businessman case: Immigration boss fails to show up in court appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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

[contextly_sidebar id=”gT4oZFfLybFeQIVM4GN4aVAW7BstC2xK”]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.

About the arrest

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.

Background

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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By: Anass S. Seidu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Immigration Service commended for human traffickers’ arrest appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the State Attorney, the Chinese made false representation contrary to section 23 (1) of the criminal offences Act, 1960, Act 29, and Section 52 of the immigration Act, 2000, Act 573.

He also said the accused “conspired to undertake small scale mining operation without license contrary to section 23 (1) of the criminal offences Act 1960, Act 29”.

[contextly_sidebar id=”gKRVSmVFYIKhdqvjX2Wq0SHhY2i2pjr4″]Six other offenses were brought against the 10 accused persons, when the case was called for the third time at the Sekondi High Court 1.

On the State Attorney’s charge sheet, the six other offenses were “undertaking small scale mining operation without license contrary to section 99 (2) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703”, “engaging in mining activity using methods not known or approved by the Environmental Protection Agency contrary to section 27 (3) of the EPA Act, 1994, Act 490”, “pollution of water contrary to section 24 of the Water Resources Commission Act, 1996, Act 522”, “pollution of water contrary to section 23(1) of the criminal offences Act, 1960, Act 1996, Act 522”, “conspiracy to commit offence to wit, causing intentional and unlawful harm and damage to property in a manner likely to cause danger to life contrary to section 23 (1) and 172 (2) of the criminal offences Act, Act 29, 1960”, and “causing unlawful damage intentionally and unlawfully to property in a manner likely to cause danger to life contrary to section 172 (2) of the criminal offences Act, 1960, Act 522.”

After deliberations on the case in court on Monday, the court, presided over by Justice Edward Amoako Asante, dismissed for the third time, a bail application filed by counsel for the five Chinese nationals and their 5 Ghanaian counterparts.

He ordered for their release from police custody to be remanded into prison custody to reappear before it on Wednesday, May 3, 2017.

Counsel for the accused, which had changed from the Kumasi based Lawyer Stephen Alewaba to the Shama based Lawyer Erickson Abakah, expressed disappointment in the court’s denial of his bail application when his clients have languished in police custody for four weeks.

“Regrettably, our bail application has been refused. Looking at the next adjourned date, if you say you’re appealing it will take you sometime. Personally, I’m of the view that having languished in cells for over four weeks, this case should be a case for which bail should be granted and ought not to be refused except for special circumstances. I’m actually disturbed that the accused persons should be remanded. Honestly, it’s not too palatable to say that people who are undergoing trial should still be remanded for an offence which is bailable.”

In their second appearance on April 10th, the lack of a certified Chinese interpreter forced the court to adjourn the case to April 24th, but  one has now been provided.

The five Chinese facing trial are Dong Cheng, 30, Hung Jian, 51, Ning Guorui, 42, Yin Biquiang, 46 and Li Zilong, 44. Their Ghanaian counterparts are Eric Owusu, 28, Kwabena Adjei, 50, Nana Adu, 42, Kwesi Owusu, 28 and Kofi Darko, 21.

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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Chinese illegal miners abused Ghana’s immigration laws – State Attorney appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The number, which is the highest from a single country represented 12% of the total 14 million people who applied within that year.

[contextly_sidebar id=”z9LfiRgOcRMFKXqZZLYzaGIoacd0pgLV”]It also translated to 7 percent  of the total Ghanaian population.

In 2017, a total of 19 million people applied for the visa program with the US admitting just 50,000 of them.

Currently, the U.S. visa program is facing elimination under several bills being considered by Congress.

In operation since 1995, the visa lottery seeks to diversify the U.S. immigrant population by granting visas to underrepresented nations.

Citizens of countries with the most legal immigrant arrivals in recent years – such as Mexico, Canada, China and India – are not eligible to apply.

Legal immigrants entering the U.S. on a diversity visa account for about 5% of the roughly 1 million people who are awarded green cards each year.

Those eligible for the lottery face few barriers when applying. There is no fee to apply; applications are available in many languages and only limited biographical information must be submitted.

If selected for a diversity visa, however, individuals must provide detailed background information and submit to visa interviews, security checks and health screenings and pay $330.

Upon entry into the U.S., diversity visa recipients are given lawful permanent residence status, which gives them permission to work and live permanently in the U.S.

The Pew Research report indicated that “In fiscal 2015 (the most recent year for detailed data on application countries), about 12% of the 14.4 million people who applied for the visa lottery were citizens of Ghana (1.7 million). An additional 10%, or nearly 1.4 million applicants, were from Uzbekistan. Other top application countries included Ukraine (nearly 1.3 million applicants), Iran (more than 900,000) and Nepal (nearly 900,000). Numbers include principal applicants, their spouses and their children.”

Other countries with high number of applicants include, the Republic of Congo; which has 10% of the country’s citizens applying for the program in 2015.

Liberia follows with 8% with Sierra Leone coming next at 8% of its population.

In Europe, 7% of citizens of Albania and 5% of Moldova citizens applied to for the lottery program.

In Asia, Uzbekistan and Nepal have also had vast shares of their populations apply.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 1.7 million Ghanaians applied for US visa lottery in 2015 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the chief, the practice is dehumanizing and must be stopped, as he called on authorities of the service to intervene and stop the illegal practice.

Naba Dazuur disclosed this at the 2017 Danjuar festival celebrated by Bimobas in Kpikpira over the weekend.

According to him, Bimoba people are divided by national borders, and as such allowed them to cross borders for social activities; but the unprofessional conduct by immigration officers often threatens  their rights to free movement and association.

He appealed to the Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari, to intervene by ensuring that the officers put a stop to the practice.

“Bimoba people are divided by national borders. we are torn between Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo. Yet these artificial borders have not separated our way of lives. we interact together in several ways such as funerals, markets, farming and many other social functions. The Immigration officers are harassing my people and extorting monies from them. I have received several complaints from my brothers across the borders to that end. I recalled when my own brother was stopped and asked to pay some money.”

“I appeal to you Regional Minister Rockson Bukari, to help address this issue of the immigration people and their actions. My people cannot be paying money to attend funerals and other functions, so impress on them to do their job with diligence and professionalism.”

For his part, the Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari, promised to call the recalcitrant immigration officers to order.

“About the extortion of monies by immigration officers at Wedana, I want to assure the people of Kpikpira that the issue will be stopped without hesitation. From Monday 27th February,2016 onwards, no immigration officer will extort monies from the people of this area before crossing the border.”

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Immigration officers extorting money from people – Kpikpira Chief appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Reports of immigration sweeps this week sparked concern among immigration advocates and families, coming on the heels of President Donald Trump’s executive order barring refugees and immigrants from seven majority-Muslim nations. That order is currently on hold.

“The fear coursing through immigrant homes and the native-born Americans who love immigrants as friends and family is palpable,” Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, said in a statement. “Reports of raids in immigrant communities are a grave concern.”

The enforcement actions took place in Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and surrounding areas, said David Marin, director of enforcement and removal for the Los Angeles field office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Only five of 161 people arrested in Southern California would not have been enforcement priorities under the Obama administration, he said.

The agency did not release a total number of detainees. The Atlanta office, which covers three states, arrested 200 people, Bryan Cox, a spokesman for the office, said. The 161 arrests in the Los Angeles area were made in a region that included seven highly populated counties, Marin said.

Marin called the five-day operation an “enforcement surge.”

In a conference call with reporters, he said that such actions were routine, pointing to one last summer in Los Angeles under former President Barack Obama.

“The rash of these recent reports about ICE checkpoints and random sweeps, that’s all false and that’s dangerous and irresponsible,” Marin said. “Reports like that create a panic.”

He said that of the people arrested in Southern California, only 10 did not have criminal records. Of those, five had prior deportation orders.

Michael Kagan, a professor of immigration law at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, said immigration advocates are concerned that the arrests could signal the beginning of more aggressive enforcement and increased deportations under Trump.

“It sounds as if the majority are people who would have been priorities under Obama as well,” Kagan said in a telephone interview. “But the others may indicate the first edge of a new wave of arrests and deportations.”

Trump recently broadened the categories of people who could be targeted for immigration enforcement to anyone who had been charged with a crime, removing an Obama-era exception for people convicted of traffic misdemeanors, Kagan said.

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Source: Reuters

The post Hundreds of immigrants arrested in ‘routine’ U.S. enforcement surge appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 1994 World Cup-winning captain returns for what will be his second stint in charge of the Selecao, having spent four years at the helm between 2006-2010.

He succeeds Luiz Felipe Scolari, who left the post after failing to claim Brazil’s first World Cup on home soil following a humbling 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals.

In Dunga’s previous spell in charge of his country, he won 42 and lost just six of his 60 games, guiding them to the Copa America 2007 and Confederations Cup 2009 titles, but was criticised for his pragmatic approach.

The 50-year-old was fired from what was his first senior coaching role in 2010 after suffering a World Cup quarter-final defeat to the Netherlands.

Dunga’s only other experience in the dugout came at Brazilian club Internacional last year, but he lasted less than 12 months before being dismissed after suffering four straight league defeats.

His first Brazil squad will be announced in late August ahead of the Selecao’s Gillette Brasil Global Tour friendly fixtures with Colombia and Ecuador in the United States.

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Source: Goal.com

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Former coach, Dunga, has emerged as a strong candidate for the job, as well as Tite, coach of local club Corinthians , Sao Paulo manager Muricy Ramalho and Vanderlei Luxemburgo who coached Brazil for two years from 1998.

Current Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has also been named as a possible, though much less likely, replacement for Luis Felipe Scolari.

Former coach Scolari resigned from his position a day after the end of the tournament, which was won by Germany.

Despite guiding the hosts to a semi-final place at the World Cup, Scolari’s second spell in charge of the national team will be remembered for the humiliating 7-1 loss to the eventual winners in the semi final.

A 3-0 loss in the 3rd-place match to the Netherlands meant the Brazilians conceded 10 goals in two games and lost two consecutive home games for the first time since 1940.

The Brazilian Football Federation, on Thursday,  appointed Gilmar Rinaldi as the team’s general co-ordinator making him responsible for all levels of the national team.

He told reporters that the most important thing for Brazilian football was “to define what we want and the profile of the person we want. We must recognise that we need to change.”

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Brazil to name new coach on Tuesday appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.