Ghana says new U.K. visa policy still ‘mere rumour’

The U.K. is yet to officially notify Ghana of its policy.
The Ghanaian government has said it has not received any official communication on the U.K.’s new immigration policy.
Ghana’s Deputy Information Minister, Murtala Mohammed, stated this when he spoke with newsmen in Accra on Wednesday.

The U.K. Home Secretary, Theresa May had announced a new policy on Monday imposing cash bond of 3,000 pounds on visitors from Nigeria, Ghana, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.


Ms. May said the policy was aimed at providing a guarantee for the visitors’ return.

But Mr. Mohammed said that Ghana still viewed the issue as `mere rumour’ pending the receipt of an official communication from the UK.

“In the absence of any official communication, government considered it inappropriate to issue a response or seek clarification from the UK Embassy.

“This issue was not even a subject of discussion during last week’s bilateral talks between Britain’s David Cameron and President John Mahama,’’ he said.

The issue has generated debate on the floor of the Ghanaian parliament with some legislators suggesting similar treatment to U.K. nationals visiting Ghana.

Mathew Opoku-Prempeh, representing Manhyia South, had asked the parliament for a formal statement registering the country’s protest against the policy.

Nigeria had officially asked the U.K. Government to reconsider its decision.
It described the policy as “not only discriminatory but capable of undermining the commonwealth family’’.
Nigerian lawmakers also condemned the U.K.’s decision saying the federal government should consider a retaliatory policy.
(NAN)

Source: Premium Times