News:
October 13, 2010
The Member of Parliament for Jirapa, Dr. Francis Dakora Bawana, has expressed worry over the situation where foreigners continue to hold Ghanaian passports.
According to the MP, the Ghanaian passport remains the property of the Government of Ghana and that being such a valuable document, it should not be left in the hands of non- Ghanaians.
Contributing to a discussion on e.tv Ghana morning show, the Member of Parliament for Jirapa, Dr. Francis Dakora Bawana stated that a passport which is a very important tool used for identification and crossing borders has in recent times become a tool people are using to engage in nefarious activities.
He noted that a lot of foreigners particularly from neighboring West African countries who have not gained Ghanaian citizenship have accessed the Ghanaian passport, a criminality that he believes must not be countenanced.
Dr. Francis Dakora Bawana, recalled that while he was working in the United Kingdom, he encountered a West African who held a Ghanaian passport and had been arrested for a criminal act, but could not state exactly which part of Ghana he hailed from.
“This gentleman claimed he was from the Northern Region but he had absolutely no information about that part of the country, clearly he lied,’’ he said.
He bemoaned the laxity in the acquisition of national identification documents such as passport and birth certificates which has allowed unscrupulous persons to possess these all important documents.
Dr. Francis Dakora Bawana added that Ghana cannot continue to have its image dented by dishonest persons who hold Ghanaian passport and called on the relevant authorities to ensure that only Ghanaian applicant are given the passport.
Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh