Irregular migrants visit Tamale MIC for information on migration-ACI Edward Kofi Owusu

A total of 148 potential and irregular migrants are said to have visited the Migration Information Center (MIC) in Tamale, since its establishment in August 2019.

Their visit was to solicit various services including the provision of timely and accurate information to prospective travelers, counseling, traumatized returnees, victims of trafficking among others.

This was disclosed to FiilaNews during a capacity building workshop for officers of the Migration Information Center (MIC), on safe migration and information technology, organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The three day capacity building program is aimed at creating the awareness of MIC Officers on  IT capacity both in Tamale, Sunyani and Takoradi to be able to undertake and manage information efficiently in line of their duty.

In his opening remarks, the Northern Regional Commander of Immigration ACI Edward Kofi Owusu noted that data from 2019 indicates that a total of 272 milion people are living outside their country of origin irregularly, among which 52% are males with the remaining 48% being females.

This he indicated has adverse effect on the lives of people, communities and countries globally as compared to proper migration which benefits both the migrants country of origin and his destination country.

ACI Kofi Owusu making reference to the savelugu inland border ,noted that for its strategic nature,a lot of issue of irregular migration has been detected there and the victims who are usually from neighboring countries have been repatriated to their home country.

Statistically, he noted that an average of 15 irregular migrants trying to enter Ghana, are busted on weekly basis since the beginning of the covid-19 outbreak, noting that they’ve been sent back to their home countries.

The regional commander made a passionate appeal for logistics and resources to help their fight against irregular migration.

Mr. Collins Yeboah a resource person from the IOM, also underscored the need to use the right expression “irregular migrants” rather than “illegal migrants” to describe those found in the act as it goes contrary to  their rights as humans.

Speaking with FiilaNews the regional public relations officer of the immigration service, Assistant Inspector of Immigration, Christian Kekeli Zilevu, noted that  though the fight of irregular migration is being won gradually, the fight to completely nib the issue in the bud is still progressive.
He thus noted that the capacity building workshop has come at the appropriate time, noting that officers need to be abreast on how to fit into the new normal whiles still exhibiting their mandate.

Source:Fiilafmonline/ShawanaYussif