MIGRATING TO GHANA: OVERVIEW/REFUGEE
IMMIGRATION NOTICE
Prospective travelers must note that the possession of the appropriate documents does not confer a right of entry. Travelers may be refused entry into Ghana if they fall within the category of prohibited immigrants and if they do not satisfy immigration requirements at the point of entry. The Service will not be financially liable for their repatriation. The carrier, master or agent of the aircraft, vessel, and vehicle will be wholly or severally responsible for his immediate removal from Ghana and carrier liability will be extracted where applicable.
MIGRATING AS A REFUGEE
Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) involvement in activities of Refugees
Under the 1951 convention on refugees to which Ghana is a signatory, a refugee is someone who:
has a well founded fear of persecution on basis of his/her race, religion, nationality or membership in a particular group or political opinion and is out side his/her country of origin.
persons fleeing war zones, persecution or persons from refugee producing countries do not necessarily require travel documents to enter Ghana. It is generally accepted if such persons enter either through an approved/unapproved route. If refugee/asylum seeker enters Ghana through an unapproved route, he/she must however proceed to the nearest immigration office for the necessary formalities after entry.
*GIS in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is involved in the initial registration/vetting/screening exercise of refugees/asylum seekers in the country.
*GIS is also a member of the Ghana Refugees Board (GRB) - the final deciding authority as far as the granting of refugee status in the country is concerned.
*In a situation where an application for refugee status is accepted /granted by GRB, applicant is referred to UNHCR for refugee Identity Card.
if refugee no longer requires refugee protection/assistance and seeks employment, then he/she must contact GIS Headquarters, Accra for the relevant permits: in this case, residence permits.This will only be issued after applicant has obtained work permit from the Ministry of Interior.
However, if application for refugee status is refused by GRB, the applicant is served with a refusal letter. The law grants the applicant the right to appeal in writing to the Minister of Interior for re-consideration within thirty (30) days of notification of refusal.
Whilst a person awaits the result of his/her appeal, applicant is permitted to remain in the country until final decision is taken on his/her appeal.
In an unfortunate circumstance where an appeal is rejected, the law says such a person must be given reasonable time not exceeding 3 months to look for a third country of option to seek asylum.
Collaboration with UNHCR
GIS collaborates with UNHCR in the following ways:
* registration/vetting/screening exercise of refugees/asylum seekers.
* liaise with UNHCR in the formulation of polices in relation to refugees/asylum seekers.
* in formulating strategic planning in the management of refugees/asylum seekers in Ghana.
* in an expected influx of refugees in cases of civil unrest in a neighboring West African Country, GIS liaises with UNHCR to formulate contingency plans and measures to contain the situation should it arise. e.g.: Ivorian, Liberian crises.
* assist in voluntary repatriation of refugees to respective home countries.
* liaise with UNHCR in the management of refugee settlements camps.
Migrating as a refugee
Seeking asylum within Ghana -For further details refer to UNHCR-Ghana website
UNHCR website
Ghana Refugee Board website
