According to him this will deter the youth from undertaking such deadly and dangerous journeys.

Brong Ahafo is noted as a transit point for youths in the country who make the trip to Libya and subsequently to Europe to seek greener pastures.

The Banda MP who lamented over the issue said he will rally his other colleague MPs in the Brong Ahafo Region to put resources together in a bid to develop the entrepreneurial skills of youth in the area to reduce the incidence of immigration.

The Banda MP noted that issues of illegal migration and unemployment have become global threats to development and called for a holistic approach in tackling it.

The Deputy Minority Chief Whip made this known when he was named as the young politician of the year in Brong Ahafo.

The Brong Ahafo Young Achievers Awards is a scheme to award hardworking individuals and organizations for their dedication and exemplary leadership.

The programme was on the theme “Curbing the problem of illegal migration in the Brong Ahafo region” and was organised by Kingdom Management with support from Brong Ahafo NYA and International Organization for Migration.

He complained that there is currently disunity amongst Members of Parliament which he said affected development in the Region.

“In Brong Ahafo, both NDC and NPP the political struggle for supremacy is too much. When a party wins power, their MPs do things without consulting the opponent. So, we do not unite and solve our problems but it is different in others regions. We the parliamentarians from this region have to unite irrespective of our political divide to help enlighten our youth, right from the Senior High School on how to make it in the country through entrepreneurship and career development seminars to sustain their interest in working here and investing in our economy. This should be our priority rather than unnecessary bickering and power struggle,” he lamented.

Other awardees were Nana Kyei Adoma Samuel (KAS) of Suncity Radio, Alhaji Yahya of Ark FM, Kofi Adoma of Adoma FM, Aboagye Boadi Yaw of Space FM, Angel Kwadwo Brefo of Winners FM and Sandra Ozwald, who won the overall best youth achiever for her quality men’s shoes from her manufacturing company Ozwald Shoes.

‘Slave trade in Libya’

In November 2017, footages from CNN of youth from Sub-saharan Africa being sold at slave markets in Libya went viral, attracting International criticism.

The heartbreaking images also showed some migrants being tortured to death by individuals in Libyan military wears.

Following the story, some 127 Ghanaians were subsequently rescued from Libya after reports that these Ghanaians and some other black Africans were reported to have been subjected to inhumane treatment after giving away their life’s earnings and making torturous journeys through the Sahara hoping to make it big in Europe.

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By: Mashoud Kombat/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Educate youth on dangers of illegal migration – Banda MP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

International news channel, CNN, captured a video in which some stranded Africans who had hopes of embarking on journeys to Europe through the Mediterranean, were being sold off at various prices.

The Libyan government has since started investigations into the matter.

There had been concerns that Ghanaians could be involved, but Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister says no Ghanaian has been caught up in that despicable development.

168 Ghanaian detainees in Libya to return home

The Ministry however says it is facilitating the return of some 168 Ghanaians who have been detained in Libya. A statement from the Ministry said the 168, who were thought to be victims of a torturous slave trade activity in Libya, were rather illegal migrants arrested by the Libyan government.

“Following disturbing reports of African nationals being sold off as slaves in Libya, the Ghana Mission in Malta, with concurrent accreditation from Libya, paid a consular visit to the three detention centers in Tripoli, namely, Tajoora, Trek Al Sika and Trek Mate.”

The purpose was to ascertain the veracity of the claims, assess their condition, and offer assistance to those detainees identified as Ghanaians, among many other illegal migrants held at these centers.

It emerged that 168 Ghanaian detainees who were identified, were not part of the slave trade as alleged, but had rather been arrested on illegal immigration charges, and were already being held in detention camps,” the statement said.

The Ministry said it was working together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to get the identified Ghanaians back into the country via a chartered flight from Tripoli.

“The undocumented Ghanaians were immediately issued with the necessary travel documents to facilitate their repatriation to Ghana on a chartered flight, with support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).”

Although there were no details about their timelines concerning the repatriation exercise, the Ministry assured Ghanaians that it was closely monitoring the situation in that country, and will provide details if need be.

Meanwhile, the Ministry is holding talks with some stakeholders to get a consulate opened in Libya. The existing consulate had to be closed down during the Libyan crises several months ago.
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post No Ghanaian sold as slave in Libya – Gov’t appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Atlantic slave trade involved the forced transportation by slave traders of enslaved Africans, mainly from Africa to the Americas between the 16th to the 19th centuries.

The slaves were treated under the most inhumane conditions, and scars of the slave trade remain today with racial tension persisting in some western countries.

The Danish Foreign Minister, Anders Samuelson, making the pronouncement at the Flagstaff House, said Denmark was ashamed of its part in the slave trade.

“…I also take the opportunity to bring up a more distant shared history. We share a dark history of slave trade – shameful and unforgivable part of Danish history. Nothing can justify the exploitation of men, women and children in which Denmark took part.”

Anders Samuelson is part of the delegation of Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II, who is the first Danish Monarch to Visit Ghana.

Brief history

Denmark’s involvement in the then-Gold Coast begun on April 20, 1663, when it seized the Christiansborg Fort (Osu Castle) and Carlsborg Fort (Cape Castle), as it completed the annexation of Swedish Gold Coast settlements.

A number of trading stations and forts were built by the Danes during their time in Ghana, several of which are in ruins today.

The Osu Castle was noted as the base for Danish power in West Africa, and the centre for slave trade to the Danish West Indies.

In 1807, Denmark’s African business partners were overcome by the Akan resistance which led to the abandonment of all trading stations.

Denmark’s involvement in the then-Gold Coast ended following the Norwegian Declaration of Independence in 1814.

Denmark’s five Danish Gold Coast Territorial Settlements and forts of the Kingdom of Denmark were sold to the United Kingdom and were incorporated into the British Gold Coast in 1850.

Ghana and Denmark relations after slave trade 

Years after the dark days of slavery,  Denmark through its DANIDA Agency, has supported Ghana in many sectors of the economy.

However, Denmark has now decided to move from aid to trade, a vision that falls in line with President Akufo-Addo’s Ghana’s  beyond aid agenda.

Ghana and Denmark have enjoyed strong diplomatic and commercial ties over the years, and this visit by the Queen, joined by representatives of Danish companies and business organizations, is further aimed at strengthening same.

With Ghana’s graduation to a middle-income country and the prospects of sustainable economic growth, Denmark is gradually transitioning from development aid to trade cooperation, in line with the vision of the Government of Ghana.

Facts about Ghana and Danish exports:

•Ghana has 28 million inhabitants.

•Ghana was Denmark’s 84th largest export market in 2016, corresponding to DKK 272.7 million (around EUR 37 million) or 0.04% of total Danish exports.

•In the first seven months of 2017, Danish exports to Ghana rose to almost DKK 1 billion (EUR 134 million).

•The Danish International Development Assistance (Danida) has been active in Ghana since 1989, but the Danish development aid will now be phased out and cease entirely in 2020, as Ghana became a middle income country in 2011.

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By:  Delali Adogla-Bessa & Sammi Wiafe/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Denmark apologizes to Ghana for role in slave trade appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.