The Member of Parliament for Jomoro Constituency in the Western Region, Hon. Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has called on Parliament to take urgent action on key concerns raised by the Ghanaian community in Côte d’Ivoire.
Following Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin’s recent visit to the country, the MP stressed the need for policies that protect and support Ghanaians living abroad.
“As representatives of the people, we must advocate for the welfare and dignity of Ghanaians both at home and abroad. Their contributions to Ghana’s economy and international reputation must not be overlooked,” Hon. Affo-Toffey stated while addressing Parliament.
During the visit, Speaker Bagbin and his delegation engaged with Ghanaians residing in Côte d’Ivoire, listening to their challenges and aspirations. Among the key concerns raised were voting rights under the Representation of the People’s Amendment Law (ROPAL), the high cost of passport renewals, and the rising threat of human trafficking along the Ghana-Côte d’Ivoire border.
The Jomoro MP, in her maiden statement on the floor of Parliament, emphasized that the concerns of the Ghanaian diaspora must be prioritized in national policies, noting that they remain a vital part of Ghana’s socio-economic fabric.
“The Ghanaian diaspora is an invaluable asset to our nation. We must do everything within our power to ensure their rights, welfare, and contributions are acknowledged and supported,” she affirmed.
Ghana-Côte d’Ivoire relations
Affo-Toffey applauded Speaker Bagbin for his leadership and commitment to Parliamentary diplomacy. She noted that his visit reaffirmed Ghana’s dedication to strengthening its relations with Côte d’Ivoire, bringing out the deep historical and economic ties between the two nations.
“Our nations share a deep historical and economic relationship, and it is important that we continue to strengthen these bonds,” she said.
ROPAL
One of the major concerns raised by the Ghanaian community was the delay in implementing ROPAL, which was passed in 2006 but has not been fully enacted. The law would allow Ghanaians living abroad to vote in national elections.
Affo-Toffey relayed the diaspora’s frustration, saying, “Ghanaians in Côte d’Ivoire are eager to participate in the democratic process of their home country. They feel a deep connection to Ghana and want their voices to be heard through the ballot box.”
She called on Parliament to prioritize discussions on implementing ROPAL to ensure Ghanaians abroad can contribute to the country’s democratic development.
Passport renewal
Another pressing concern for the Ghanaian community was the high cost of renewing or replacing Ghanaian passports. The community revealed that passport renewal fees amount to 80,000 CFA (about GHS 1,900) while replacing a lost passport costs 110,000 CFA (about GHS 2,600).
Many Ghanaians in Côte d’Ivoire, the Jomoro MP said, find these fees to be a financial burden and have called on the House to advocate for a review of these costs.
She also stressed the difficulties Ghanaians face in obtaining other important identification documents, such as consular cards, Ghana Cards, and ECOWAS identity cards. She called for a streamlined process that would make these documents more accessible and affordable for the diaspora.
Human Trafficking
The issue of illegal human trafficking, often referred to as “Q-Net,” was also raised during the Speaker’s visit. The Jomoro MP described it as a serious human rights crisis, where individuals are deceived into travelling to Côte d’Ivoire under pretences of securing jobs or opportunities to travel to Europe, only to be coerced into fraudulent activities.
“This is a human rights crisis that must be tackled urgently,” she said, urging Parliament and the Ivorian embassy to work together to address the issue.
She further called on law enforcement agencies from both Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to collaborate in clamping down on trafficking networks operating along the borders.
Affo-Toffey emphasized the importance of Parliament’s role in addressing the concerns of the Ghanaian diaspora, noting that their contributions to Ghana’s socio-economic fabric should be recognized and supported and urged Parliament to take swift action on the issues raised during Speaker Bagbin’s visit to Côte d’Ivoire.
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24.com