Manasseh Azure Awuni slammed Ghana's new deportation plan for criminal foreigners. The famous reporter attacked what he saw as unfair treatment between locals and outsiders caught doing the same crimes. Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak announced his office would send foreign lawbreakers back home instead of putting them through courts. He revealed these changes during an April 4 press conference in Accra.
The minister explained that his department prefers quick removal over lengthy trials for non-citizens who harm Ghana's environment. "When we arrest any foreigner, we are not interested in prosecuting. Our first option is to take them to their country. I have officially written to the Attorney General," Mubarak stated. The government plans to block these deported people from ever coming back to Ghana through an entry ban list.
Azure fired back in a JoyNews interview that same day. He asked why Ghanaian citizens face prosecution for illegal mining, but foreigners simply board planes home. He believes criminals should face punishment rather than escape with money they made destroying Ghana's natural resources. "I think this is one of the lowest policies in our history as a people. And if someone else had done this to us, we would call it racism," Azure declared.
The reporter expressed confusion about what he sees as double standards in the justice system. He pointed out that Ghana jails its citizens for damaging forests and water sources. Yet, foreigners who cause identical damage receive special treatment. "All we do is say you are special. Just go back in peace to your country and enjoy whatever money you have made from destroying our lands," Azure remarked. He urged President Mahama's administration to create a better approach, calling the current policy "terrible" for Ghana.
The minister explained that his department prefers quick removal over lengthy trials for non-citizens who harm Ghana's environment. "When we arrest any foreigner, we are not interested in prosecuting. Our first option is to take them to their country. I have officially written to the Attorney General," Mubarak stated. The government plans to block these deported people from ever coming back to Ghana through an entry ban list.
Azure fired back in a JoyNews interview that same day. He asked why Ghanaian citizens face prosecution for illegal mining, but foreigners simply board planes home. He believes criminals should face punishment rather than escape with money they made destroying Ghana's natural resources. "I think this is one of the lowest policies in our history as a people. And if someone else had done this to us, we would call it racism," Azure declared.
The reporter expressed confusion about what he sees as double standards in the justice system. He pointed out that Ghana jails its citizens for damaging forests and water sources. Yet, foreigners who cause identical damage receive special treatment. "All we do is say you are special. Just go back in peace to your country and enjoy whatever money you have made from destroying our lands," Azure remarked. He urged President Mahama's administration to create a better approach, calling the current policy "terrible" for Ghana.
