Illegal Ghanaians Granted Amnesty

Eight illegal Ghanaian migrant workers who together with the Ghanaian Community in Lebanon pleaded to His Excellency Mr. Michelle Haddad, Honorary Consul General of Ghana to Lebanon to assist them in securing a special amnesty from the Lebanese government to enable them return home to Ghana citing medical reasons has finally been given the green light to leave.

Augusta Kumitse and Ernestina Obromah two among the eight left Beirut yesterday 6th of August 2005 to Accra. The other six are expected to leave next Saturday.

His Excellency Mr. Michele Haddad who since taking office three years ago has become a father figure to the Ghanaian Community, and is doing all in his power to assist Ghanaians in every way possible heeded to the plea of the newly revitalized Ghanaian Community in Lebanon headed by Acting Chairman, Mr. Albert Atta, and which he (Mr.Michele Haddad) is a strong member and worked together to this end.

Although in the past, amnesties have been given to Ghanaians in Lebanon in cases where they don't even pay a penny, but times have changed, and the political situation is still not stable so even though the returnees had to pay a one year penalty, $433 (four hundred and thirty three dollars) for women and $556 (Five hundred and fifty six dollars) for men, this has come as an act of good-will and the Ghanaian community is very grateful, however the community still look forward and hope that in the near future things will improve and such amnesty will be granted free of charge to make it possible for tens if not hundreds of Ghanaians who are stranded and want to return home to Ghana.