The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ghana, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has held talks with the United Kingdom (UK) Minister for Africa, James Duddridge.
The purpose of Wednesday, August 18, 2021, between the two ministers, according to Ghana’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Ministry, was to discuss issues of mutual interest between the two countries, particularly, in the areas of security and migration, notably matters relating to third country asylum partnerships, which forms part of the UK’s plans to reform its asylum system and tackle illegal migration.
Below is Minister Ayorkor Botchwey’s full talking points for the meeting:
TALKING POINTS FOR THE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION, HON. SHIRLEY AYORKOR BOTCHWEY, DURING A VIRTUAL MEETING WITH RT. HON. JAMES DUDDRIDGE (MP), MINISTER FOR AFRICA AT THE FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (FCDO) OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (UK) ON WEDNESDAY, 18TH AUGUST, 2021
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, held a virtual meeting with the UK Minister for Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Hon. James Duddridge (MP), on Wednesday, 18th August, 2021. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss issues of mutual interest between the two countries, particularly, in the areas of security and migration, notably matters relating to third country asylum partnerships, which forms part of the UK’s plans to reform its asylum system and tackle illegal migration.
2. It is believed that officials of the British High Commission in Accra during an informal discussion held recently with the Chief of Staff, Hon. Frema Osei-Opare broached the issue of the third country asylum partnerships.
3. During the meeting, the Hon. Minister:
Expressed her delight at the opportunity to engage with the Hon. James Duddridge on issues that would inure to the benefit of the two countries;
Acknowledged that Ghana and the United Kingdom are natural allies due to long-standing historical and cultural ties, which have been strengthened over the years;
Appreciated the immense contribution that the UK has made and continues to make towards Ghana’ socio-economic development; and
4. MIGRATION
Repatriation of Ghanaian Illegal Immigrants
4.1 The Ghana High Commission in London reports that the UK Home Office repatriates Ghanaian illegal immigrants without recourse to the Mission. Closely related to this issue is a system the UK has adopted based on an agreement they claim they have with Ghana Immigration Service, by which the biometric details obtained from Ghanaians at the Heathrow airport are used to process documents for illegal immigrants to facilitate their deportation. Subsequently, there has been several instances when the High Commission is notified of the deportation of Ghanaians only when they have need of Travel Certificates for the deportees. However, when the illegal immigrant does have a valid passport, the High Commission is not informed.
On this issue, the Hon. Minister:
Expressed concern about the repatriation of Ghanaian illegal immigrants by the UK Home Office without recourse to the Ghana High Commission; and urge the Home Office to liaise with the High Commission on all issues of such nature;
UK’s Point-Based Immigration System
4.2 The UK rolled-out a Point-Based Immigration system in January 2021, at the end of the Brexit transition period. Under the new system, immigration is opened to people with middle and high skills to work in the UK. Further under the system, UK has introduced the graduate route by which students upon completion of their study are allowed to stay and work in the country for two (2) years or three (3) as PhD graduates. This category of migrants can switch to a skilled work route if they find suitable jobs.
4.3 Ghana stands to benefit from increased remittances from skilled workers employed in the UK and employability skills from students who complete their studies and consequently work in the UK for the development of Ghana.
On this issue, the Hon. Minister:
Mentioned that Ghana will consider taking advantage of the UK’s point-based migration system to create job openings for the skilled unemployed labour force in Ghana into the UK;
Proposed that Ghana and the UK consider initiating action on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise the migration of middle level and highly skilled workers to the UK;
Called on the UK to support Ghana’s National Migration Policy through the sharing of best practice in the management of migration issues for net gain; and
Intimated that a strengthened relationship between Ghana and the UK is desirable for job creation for the burgeoning Ghanaian youth and inform that it is the preoccupation of the Government of H.E. the President of the Republic to create jobs locally, since it is the surest way to stop the youth from embarking on perilous journeys in search of greener pastures.
5. SECURITY
5.1 On Wednesday 2nd June, 2021, the Rt. Hon. Priti Patel, UK’s Home Secretary co-hosted the inaugural UK-Ghana Security Dialogue with the Hon. Minister for National Security, Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah. During the dialogue, the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to jointly tackling security challenges through deepening law enforcement partnerships in both countries, particularly around community policing and accountability. Both countries also committed to establishing two Working Groups to coordinate activities on security such as violent extremism and organised crime, including illegal immigration, money laundering, gold and cocaine smuggling and online fraud. It is worth mentioning that, the UK Home Office organises training for the Ghana Armed Forces on Counter-Terrorism as part of bilateral defence cooperation with Ghana.
On this issue, the Hon. Minister may wish to:
Observed that terrorism has become a trans-border security and economic threat in Africa, particularly in the Sahel Region, which further threatens the stability of Europe as the Sahel is a bridge between the two continents;
Noted that the fight against terrorism has been impacted by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic which has compelled stakeholders to re-focus attention and resources on the pandemic giving way to violent extremists taking advantage of the shift in focus;
Intimated that activities of pirates along the Gulf of Guinea region is a major security concern to countries located in the zone because it largely serves as an important trade route connecting the region with the rest of the world, particularly with Europe;
Welcomed the increased British involvement in security management in the sub-region and Called for the UK’s support for the Accra Initiative, which is intended to facilitate intelligence sharing and is pivotal in the fight against terrorism;
Emphasised the need for both countries to work closely together to tackle the organised criminal networks that operate across the borders within the West African region and Noted that a security dialogue between Ghana and the UK is a step in the right direction towards strengthening security management and assured the UK of the Ministry’s unalloyed support in that regard;
Expressed appreciation to the UK for supporting Ghana’s bid to secure a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council and affirmed Ghana’s commitment to cooperating with the UK and other like-minded countries at the multilateral level to strengthen the capacity and role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security;
6. COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND VACCINE DONATION
On this issue, the Hon. Minister may wish to:
Highlighted Government’s urgent priority to have increased supply of the COVID-19 vaccines and call for the UK’s support to Ghana in accessing them; and
Commended the British Government for the donation of 249,000 doses of the Astrazeneca vaccines to Ghana within the framework of the COVAX facility; and
Concluded by thanking the Hon. James Duddridge for a fruitful discussion.
EUROPE BUREAU
AUGUST 2021
