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TEMA REGIONAL IMMIGRATION COMMAND RECEIVES TWO GHANAIAN STOWAWAYS

The Tema Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has received
two Ghanaian stowaway teenagers onboard MSC KATYANYNI that docked at Tema port
from Belgium.

The young men aged 15 and 16 were intercepted midway their voyage aboard MSC
DYMPHIA vessel from San-Pedro in Cote d’Ivoire to Antwerp in Belgium. They were
found hiding at the engine compartment of the vessel during a routine inspection by
the crew and were later handed over to MSC KATYANYNI vessel at the port of Antwerp
in Belgium bound for Tema Port in Ghana.

Interrogation of the stowaway teens by the Tema Regional Immigration Command

(TRIC) revealed that they were school dropouts and were a farmer and fisherman, and
hailed from Takoradi and Cape Coast in the Western and Central Regions respectively.

They also confessed that they started their journey at Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire with
the intention of travelling to Europe in search of greener pastures and therefore
clandestinely joined the voyage to Belgium. It was also discovered that they had no
travel document on them.

As part of Immigration official procedure, they have been processed and handed over
to the Tema regional police command for further investigations.

The interception of the two Ghanaian stowaway teens comes before an arrest of five
Nigerians who attempted to stowaway to Europe onboard M.V ZIM RIO GRANDE and
CMA CGM LAPIS from Tin Can Island Port in Nigeria when the vessels docked at the
Tema Habour. They include Henry Okechuku, Jimmy Omorode and Nino Brown. The
rest are Joseph Obasi and Hope Ekele.

The five had since been in police custody at the Tema Fishing Harbour after going
through Immigration process of interrogation, nationality determination and
statements taken. They are currently awaiting travel certificates from the Nigerian
High Commission for their repatriation to their home country and further action in
accordance with standard practice.
The Tema Regional Commander of the GIS, Assistant Commissioner of Immigration
(ACI) Belinda Adwoa Sika Anim has re-echoed the dangers associated with stowaway
and cautioned Ghanaians especially the youth to refrain from such unproductive
venture.

ACI Anim noted that the Command has so far recorded nine stowaway cases in the
first half of the year with all being males. This she said was a worrying situation
especially when such acts leads to extreme injuries and death.

The Commander called on relevant stakeholders to help stop the situation and
assured the public that the Public Affairs Unit of the Command would continue to
sensitize the general public especially the youth of the dangers associated with
irregular migration and educate them on right way to travel.

DSI MERCY BUDU

REGIONAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
TEMA REGIONAL COMMAND
Tel:0243604052
Email: buquak@gmail.com