Minister dismisses claims of involvement in botched Turkey trip

The Minister for Water Resources works and Housing, Albert Abongo, has denied any involvement of his Ministry in a purported trip to Istanbul, Turkey which has led to the detention of some 50 Ghanaians.

The detainees were supposed to be part of the fifth World Water Conference.

According to Mr. Abongo, he received a letter inviting him to the programme but declined because of his local engagements and the absence of a Deputy Minister.

He told Ekourba Gyasi on Adom Dwaso Nsem on Monday, his Ministry played no role in the organization of the trip.

The Ghanaian Times Newspaper on Monday reported that about fifty Ghanaians who arrived in Istanbul, Turkey last week Friday, ostensibly to attend the Fifth World Water forum have been detained and are awaiting deportation to Ghana.

The Forum according to the Paper was intended for persons and organizations whose work related to water, sanitation and environment.

But the paper reported that the detainees were mainly barbers, hairdressers and other artisans and were prevented from entering Turkey because they could not provide documentation to back their claim that they were participants at the Water conference.

The detainees were said to have arrived in the Turkish Capital via Dubai in an Emirates Airline and could hardly express themselves in the English Language even though they had indicated in their passports professions which required proficiency in English.

By Kojo Addo
(Adom FM)