By Francis Kobena Tandoh
A total of 228 Ghanaian nationals residing in Cote d’Ivoire have been repatriated back home late Thursday, a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed on Friday.
According to the statement, 99 additional persons are expected to return on Friday to bring the total number to 327.
The repatriation, according to the Ghanaian government, follows a demolition exercise undertaken by authorities in Abidjan leading to the destruction of their places of abode.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that the government of Ghana is repatriating 327 Ghanaians who were affected by the ongoing mass demolition exercise being undertaken by authorities in the Port Bouet municipality in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire,” read the statement.
“We are pleased to disclose that we have already facilitated the repatriation of 228 Ghanaian nationals. The returnees arrived in Ghana on June 11,” added the statement.
According to the Ghanaian government, all 327 nationals were previously living in areas affected by the demolition exercise and became stranded, having lost their sources of livelihood and lacking the means to secure alternative accommodation in Cote d’Ivoire.
The ministry disclosed that the Ivorian authorities have expressed their desire to compensate the victims of the exercise and that it will pursue the matter to protect the returnees.
The government assured it remains committed to the welfare and protection of Ghanaians and pledged to provide the necessary support to ensure the successful reintegration of affected individuals.
The Ghanaian government recently repatriated almost 1,000 of its nationals from South Africa over anti-immigrant protests against African nationals. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
