“Many Nigerians Have Married From Ghana, Stop Harassing Us” – NIS Under Fire

The harassment of Ghanaians by officials of the
Nigeria Immigration Service at the country's border
posts has become a major concern to the Ghanaian
community in Nigeria.
In a chat with Daily Sun on the sideline of the 2013
celebration of the National Association of Ghanaian
Communities in Nigeria (NAGHACON) held in Lagos,
the association's president, Mr Frank Ekow Quaye
expressed worry over the poor treatment innocent
Ghanaians receive from junior officers of the Nigeria
Immigration Service even as they possess genuine
travel documents.
Quaye alleged cases of extortion and harassment of
his kinsmen. He was particular about junior officers.
"Generally, the Nigeria Immigration Service has been
very friendly with the Ghanaians. The relationship
has remained cordial.
"But we are worried that some junior officers posted
to the border have adopted various tactics to extort
and harass Ghanaians. Those involved in this act
have just refused to emulate their senior officers who
have always demonstrated maturity and
professionalism."
He appealed to all cadres of officers of the Nigeria
Immigration Service to treat Ghanaians as their
brothers, stressing that the Ghanaian communities in
Nigeria remain a major stakeholder in the Nigerian
project.
" Nigeria has become our second home and we are
ever willing to contribute our quota to the building of
a progressive Nigeria and therefore we deserve to be
accorded good treatment be it at the border or any
part of Nigeria," he said.
Quaye told Daily Sun that at no time will his
organization condone acts of criminality by
Ghanaians resident in the country and would always
cooperate with relevant authorities.
The highlight of the event was the launching of the
association's 2014 Calendar by the Chairman of the
occasion and President of Lagos Chamber of
Commerce, Mr Goodie Ibru, represented by his Public
Affairs Adviser, Mr Charles C. Inomah.
Earlier, Quaye had, in his address, called for unity
and peace among his kinsmen.
"We are perceived by our governments and people as
one indivisible nation without any colouration," he
told them.
He noted that in spite of the challenges facing
Ghanaians resident in Nigeria, they have continued
to forge ahead.
"In spite of the challenges which confront us, it is still
in order to pat our backs and say 'Yes' Ghanaians in
Nigeria have been largely law abiding and have been
able to integrate themselves into the socio-cultural
milieu of our host nation."
Paying tributes to the government and people of
Nigeria, Quaye said, "Today, many of us are married
to Nigerians, speak like Nigerians and dress like
Nigerians, because of the excellent rapport and love
our very hospitable Nigerian brothers and sisters
have bestowed on us."
The president used the occasion to correct what he
described as wrong impression about the association.
"…NAGHACON was created as a free born for all
Ghanaians irrespective of social standing or status.
Therefore, the conception in some quarters among
Ghanaians that the association is for downtrodden
Ghanaians is gross fallacy."
In his comment, the Consul-General of Ghana in
Lagos, Alhaji Amadu Abukari told members of the
association that the ability of the Consulate to cater
for their interest depend to a large extent on the
"cooperation each and every one us here gathered."
He appealed to them to be law-abiding, noting that in
recent times, there have been increasing incidences
of human trafficking of young Ghanaians into Nigeria.

Sent From David Aniemeka