No bilateral agreement to deport Ghanaians from Italy

... Charles Baah discloses at Ghana@53 in Verona
The Government of Ghana has not signed any agreement with the Italian Government that will allow Italy to arrest and deport illegal Ghanaian immigrants resident in Italy to Ghana.
This was disclosed by Charles Baah (Minister and Head of Consular Section at the Ghana Embassy in Rome) in Verona when he addressed Ghanaians in Italy celebrating their country’s 53rd year anniversary after Independence. His statement dismisses speculations within the Ghanaians communities in Italy that Ghana has signed such an accord following a visit by Italy’s Minister of Interior, Roberto Maroni, to Ghana.
Baah who took the salute during a march pass of various Ghanaians communities at the event further gave more information about Ghana biometric passport to be introduced from April this year. “The new passport would help eliminate passport contractors and the practice of multiple acquisition of passport and the measure will make holders take very good care of their passport”, he mentioned. He said the era of “Sir, my passport is missing”, will be a thing of the past as obtaining a second biometric passport before the expiry date of the passport would be difficult.
Throwing more light on its features, the Minister indicated the new passport will also make simple the verification of identity and proof of ownership and there will be no room for photo substitution. “The passport carries biological information that links the holder to the document and has permanent features that cannot be changed. It has security features which are both visible and invisible, therefore one cannot use someone’s passport to travel,” he pointed out.
Accompanied by Aikins Abrokwa (First Secretary and in charge of Trade and Investment at the Ghana Embassy in Rome) the Minister in his speech paid special tribute to the founding fathers and other Ghanaian patriots (dead and alive) whose toil, leadership qualities and sacrifices has brought Ghana far as it celebrates 53 years of Independence. Ghana, he noticed, has attained a pride of place in the political landscape of Africa and has become a beacon of hope irrespective of the instability and turmoil that has bedeviled the continent. “This in itself, should gladden our hearts as we celebrate this auspicious occasion,” he asserted.
He told his audience the Government of Ghana has committed itself to an economic development policy which sees the private sector as the engine of growth and that the role of the Ghanaian in the diaspora in this regard cannot be over emphasized.
“A notable example are the remittances that you send home to relatives which has been recognized as one of the three highest foreign exchange earners of the national economy. “We should not rest on our oars but endeavor to be more proactive in our country’s economic development by identifying and participating in investments in which you can become worthy partners in your local communities. You should be part of the ongoing industrial, energy and agricultural transportation in Ghana. It will also be appreciated if you could woo foreign investors, especially in the industrial and energy sectors to Ghana”, he added.
The event hosted by the Council of Ghana Nationals Associations in Italy (COGNAI) in conjunction with the local Ghanaians Association in Verona began with the playing of the Ghana National Anthem and was marked with gospel songs, poetry recitals, Ghana’s history (narrated by Nana Kojo) and a quiz for the Ghanaian youths between the ages of 13 and 19 years. Questions were on Ghana’s culture, history, geography and general knowledge. Stephen Gyaninah walked home with the first prize, Anna Eghan took the second spot whilst Anthony Abasimi placed third. Two other contestants were Angela Abasimi and Portia Koomson.