By Savannah Pokuaah Duah
The Officer in Charge of Outreach at the Migration Information Bureau, Paul Kittoe, has emphasized the importance of awareness and caution for Ghanaians considering relocating abroad.
Speaking during the Breakfast Show discussion with Thelma Tackie on GTV, he highlighted the challenges and solutions related to irregular migration. According to him, many individuals who attempt to migrate irregularly face dire situations, including having their passports seized or lacking financial stability.
“If there are problems where maybe your passports have been seized, you’re not financially stable to come back, we have NGOs who facilitate some of these things in collaboration with the Ghana government,” he explained.
For those stranded abroad, Mr. Kittoe detailed the process for returning home. “You just locate the Ghanaian embassy in the country, and you’ll be issued with a travel certificate to bring you back to Ghana. However, it’s important to understand that this certificate wouldn’t just be given to you; you’d be interrogated to confirm you are really Ghanaian.”
He further elaborated on the tactics used by traffickers to lure individuals into irregular migration. “Before people even leave, they are under the impression that they are going to be offered A, B, and C,” He explained.
“Some of the red flags are this: When you first tell the person, ‘Oh, I have a brother in immigration who wants us to sit on a roundtable discussion to finalize things,’ and then they say ‘It’s not need to involve anybody like that’ that should raise a question mark.”
Mr. Kittoe urged potential migrants to remain vigilant. “When you come to our office, what we do is invite the party who is taking you out. Transparency is key, and we must ensure that people are not misled into dangerous situations.”
The discussion underscored the ongoing efforts of the Ghanaian government and various NGOs to manage irregular migration challenges. As more Ghanaians seek opportunities abroad, awareness and education remain crucial in preventing exploitation and ensuring safe migration practices.
For those considering migration, Mr. Kittoe advised, “Always do your research, seek guidance from trusted sources, and never hesitate to reach out to authorities if something feels off.”
