'DONT FLOUT LAWS ON IMMIGRATION (PAGE 30, MARCH 17, 2010)

THE Upper East Regional Police and the Regional Immigration Service have observed with grave concern, the flagrant abuse of the country’s immigration laws by both immigrants and their hosts.
A statement signed by the Regional Police PRO, Chief Inspector Thomas Agbanyo, and issued in Bolgatanga said the worst notable among the offenders were owners of livestock and their herdsmen, popularly referred to as Fulanis.
According to the statement, records showed that only about one per cent of Fulanis had the requisite documents to stay and work in Ghana.
The situation, it said, posed a hitch in the effort to fight crime, since some perpetrators of certain heinous crimes such as highway robberies, rape and defilement in the bushes were perpetrated by some of the Fulani herdsmen, who escaped to their country of origin without trace.
The statement said by the relevant ECOWAS protocol, nationals of the West African sub-region had free movement to neighbouring states and such nationals were permitted to stay up to 90 days without a visa.
It emphasised that upon the expiration of the 90-day period, any such national wishing to extend his or her stay would have to go back to the Immigration Service for the necessary extension.
The statement said to qualify for entry into a neighbouring state, one was required to possess either a national passport or ECOWAS travel certificate, adding that all other identification cards were unacceptable.
It cautioned that those wishing to work in Ghana must register through the nearest GIS office.
“An immigrant commits an offence under the Immigration Act 2000 (ACT 573) and its accompanying regulations, LI 1691 if he or she fails to fulfil the necessary documentation on immigration.
“Equally important is that anyone hosting or employing an undocumented immigrant commits an offence under the same law if he or she fails to regularise the immigrant’s status,” the statement added.
It, therefore, cautioned that no one would be spared if found culpable under the law, adding that a joint police and Immigration Service operation would start in April this year to arrest and prosecute offenders.