Two hundred and forty-five (245) Ghanaian illegal migrants in Kuwait will arrive in Ghana on Saturday, May 23, following Ghana’s permission to the Kuwaiti Government to deport them.
The decision to accept the deportees back home, amid the closure of the country’s borders to prevent the importation of COVID-19, was reached at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, May 21.
Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah who announced this at a media briefing, said this follows weeks of bilateral discussions on the status and welfare of the Ghanaian citizens.
Kuwait informed Ghana about its intention to deport the illegal migrants and Kuwait will also bear the cost of their trip via a special charter arrangement.
Oppong Nkrumah said, subsequently, the Government granted a special permit for their return in line with immigration and health regulations and protocols to prevent any threat to the Ghanaian population.
The deportees, he added will be in the custody of the State for preliminary investigations on the circumstances of their illegal stay in Kuwait.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah said immediately they arrive, they would be mandatorily quarantined and tested for COVID-19
Those who test positive for the virus would be supported with treatment; while the negative persons would remain in State quarantine for a second test at the end of the 14-day quarantine period.
The Minister said the cost of quarantine and treatment would be borne by the Government.
The National Security Secretariat in collaboration with the Military, Ghana Immigration Service and Police would be responsible for ensuring the mandatory quarantine is adequately enforced.
Source: GNA
