The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has expressed concern over the rate at which some Ghanaians are assisting foreign nationals to be captured onto the national database.
He said the practice was not helping Ghana’s international image, citing a recent instance where Saudi Arabia deported some three Nigerians who, upon arrival at the airport in Abuja, produced Ghanaian passports.
The minister also observed that some of the foreigners crossed into the country through unapproved routes and, therefore, urged citizens and security personnel to remain vigilant at all times.
He said the danger in such trends was not knowing the motive behind such illegality, which the minister said was a cause for concern, especially in an era of terrorism in the sub-region.
Mr Mohammed-Mubarak expressed the concern when he paid a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, at his office in Ho, during his two-day duty tour of the region which began last Monday.
He also met with religious and traditional leaders.
Human trafficking
The minister further spoke on the issue of human traffickers, whose activities included smuggling people into the country to engage in prostitution and other criminal activities.
Mr Mohammed-Mubarak said out of a total number of 14, 000 prisoners currently serving in the country’s jails, 1,100 were foreigners, out of which 75 per cent were Nigerians.
On abuse of narcotic substances, he said the region was notorious for large cultivation of marijuana.
Religious harmony
The Chairman of the Volta Region Christian Council, Rev. Seth Mawutor, said it was gratifying that Christians and Muslims were living together in harmony in the region.
He, however, entreated members of the Muslim community to endeavour to resolve their differences and live together in peace in the Zango community.
The Sariki Zango, Ishau Turawa, also appealed against meddling in the choice of leaders in Zango communities.
He said alleged interference by politicians in the choice of leaders in the past often led to chaos among the people.
At the Asogli Palace, the War Lord of Asogli, Togbe Adzie Lakle Howusu XII, said chiefs would support the government in the fight against all forms of crime.
“Our support would include providing security agencies with tip-offs on the activities of criminals and their hideouts.
Development
The Regional Minister, Mr Gunu, said plans by the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) to make the region the hub of tourism for accelerated development could only be realised in an atmosphere of peace and unity.
He, therefore, said the council would leave no stone unturned in its collaboration with the Ministry for the Interior to deal swiftly and ruthlessly with criminals.
