Engage embassies directly for travel safety, security - Ablakwa advises Ghanaians
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has urged Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to avoid dealing with middlemen acting as travel agents and instead to engage directly with embassies and high commissions when seeking to travel abroad.
He explained that many unwary individuals had become victims of elaborate trafficking rings disguised as job offers and visa processing help, especially by operatives of Questnet International.
The minister gave the advice yesterday when he appeared on the floor of Parliament to answer urgent questions about a syndicate trafficking Ghanaians to neighbouring countries, promising onward travel to mainly European nations. Victims are often lured by promises of jobs in France, Canada or Belgium.
“However, the supposed transit country in the case of Côte d'Ivoire eventually becomes the final destination for the victims, where they are held captive in isolated locations and forced to lure their relatives and close friends as new victims into the criminal network,” he said.
Figures
The Minister, also the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu revealed that the Ghana Embassy in Abidjan estimates over 500 Ghanaians, aged between 20 and 40, are being held in such conditions across Côte d’Ivoire.
He further stated that between 2021 and mid-2025, approximately 230 victims had been rescued, with over 30 repatriated between January and March this year alone.
He assured Parliament that the country’s missions abroad were working with Interpol, Ivorian authorities and Ghanaian communities to identify and rescue victims.
“Our mission in Nigeria, Mr Speaker, has recently rescued and repatriated 202 Ghanaians, 78 through the Abuja Mission and 124 through the Lagos Mission,” he added.
In addition to diplomatic and security efforts, Mr Ablakwa called for intensified public education.
‘’Mr Speaker, we must intensify public education and awareness campaigns. I especially want to appeal to the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) to help us inform our fellow citizens to avoid these schemes. Nobody can assist you in travelling abroad unless the person is a recognised embassy official working in a consular department that issues visas,” he said.
The minister also revealed that the ministry would launch a nationwide awareness campaign on regular migration and human trafficking by September, and was negotiating labour agreements with countries such as Kuwait, Italy, Germany and Qatar to provide legitimate job opportunities abroad.
Reverse situation
In response to a question from the MP for Kwabre East Akwasi Gyamfi Onyina-Acheampong about foreigners, especially Gambians, being scammed and brought into the country under false pretences, Mr Ablakwa acknowledged the growing concern and assured that the government was taking the issue seriously.
He explained that the trafficking situation was now a two-way affair, with not only Ghanaians being trafficked abroad, but also foreign nationals being lured into Ghana.
The North Tongu legislator revealed that a national inter-agency committee, including the Immigration Service, National Security, Interpol and other stakeholders, was actively monitoring the situation.
He emphasised the urgent need to take control of the situation to prevent these vulnerable individuals from being recruited into extremist groups out of desperation.
The minister urged MPs and local leaders to quickly notify security agencies when such cases occur, to assist in capturing the perpetrators, especially the masterminds behind the schemes, who keep escaping arrest.
Believe in Ghana
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration encouraged Ghanaians, especially young people, to trust in creating a future at home rather than falling for dishonest overseas travel schemes.
He questioned the logic of selling valuable assets or borrowing large sums — ranging from GH¢80,000 to GH¢150,000 — only to hand them over to scammers who ultimately subject victims to kidnapping and exploitation abroad. He stressed that such amounts could instead be invested in starting businesses locally.
“Let’s believe that we can make it here,” the minister encouraged, emphasising that many foreigners arrive in the country with far less yet manage to establish thriving companies that employ locals.
