Centre for Migration Studies orientates returnees

Sunyani (B/A), June 10, GNA - The Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana, in collaboration with the British High Commission, has organized a two-day orientation workshop for returnees in the Dormaa Municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region.

A research conducted by the Center for Migration Studies, University of Ghana, rated the municipality and Nkoranza as having the highest number of irregular migration in the country and home of majority of returnees from Libya.

The workshop was under the theme: 93Enhancing the Capacity of Society, Organizations and Stakeholders to address the Issues of Irregular Migration and Sustainable Return on Migration through the Provision of Accurate and Reliable Data".

It was aimed at orientating the returnees on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to travel through the appropriate channel. Mr Nil Mckilop, in charge of Migration, British High Commission, noted with regret that most irregular migrants felt applying for visa was a waste of time since the application would be refused.

He said the commission would not refuse any visa applicant with genuine documents.

Mr Mckilop entreated the returnees and the public to endeavour to travel with genuine documents and through the appropriate route adding that the dangers involved in irregular migration could not be overemphasized.

Dr Mariama Awumbila, Head of the Centre of Migration Studies of the University of Ghana, admonished the returnees to stay and help develop their communities.

"If each of us is to leave the country in search of greener pastures somewhere the country will never be a better place," she said.

Dr Awumbila appealed to the public, especially the youth, to desist from traveling outside the country in search of non-existent jobs. Rather, they should stay and help to develop the motherland since

"citizens of the developed countries where some Ghanaians are seeking greener pastures laid their lives and worked to develop their countries".