Whither the Stranded Africans?

It started so well but has descended into a big disgrace. A crying shame for black history month.

Clearly the blame is with Ghana. Barbados has done more than its part in this matter.

Bajan Free Press

http://www.nationnews.com/editorial/299556974971540.php 

Whither the stranded Africans
Published on: 3/1/08.

WE READ with much interest a story last Sunday about Africans stranded in Barbados.

Just three weeks ago we saw a flight from Ghana land here with much pomp and ceremony. Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy pledged Government’s support and praised the involvement of the private sector in the initiative.

“People think of Africa as a far-off continent . . . but this bridges the gap. It keeps with the thrust for heritage tourism and the uniqueness of our product,” he said.

Director of the Pan African Commission, Dr Ikael Tafari, said the flight was a way to “reconnect the umbilical cord after thousands were ripped from the womb of Africa”.

Passengers on the flight included some from Accra, Ghana, and Lagos, Nigeria.

In addition to the Minister of Tourism, others attending a Press conference to welcome the Africans were president of the Barbados Tourism Authority, Stuart Layne; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Andrew Cox, and chief executive officer of Remac, Reynold McClean.

But what has happened since then?

For one thing, the flight that was due to return to pick up the Africans on February 15, never returned. We understand from a report last Sunday that at least some [out of 149 passengers who arrived, it is still unsure how many have remained here in Barbados] have had to find jobs in order to survive.

A spokesperson for the group said that they had been put out of the place where they were originally staying and were working so that they could get something to eat and pay for another place to stay.

Ironically, they were working at a site where Government houses were being built and they were being paid, according to the supervisor on the site, $60 a day like the other workers. What was also interesting was that these people had no training in construction work.

There are still Barbadians out of work, yet these stranded Africans managed to get jobs in a jiffy, apparently using their own initiative.

What is mysterious is that there has not been much word from Government about this issue. Doesn’t some agency have a duty to help these people? What about the Pan African Commission whose mission it is to establish links with Africa and African brothers?

Even if the Ghana flight did not return, why should these passengers be left to fend for themselves?

They did not come to Barbados illegally. They have been left stranded in a situation not of their own making.

Isn’t it embarrassing that after the trouble to get the flight here, some of its passengers have been treated so shabbily – being thrown out of their lodgings, according to them, and not having any money?

“We went to the airport and the flight never came and no one could tell us when it will. We went to the immigration department to ask for an extension and work permits and they refused us. We decided to find work because we did not have any money,” said one of the Ghanians.

What of the two agencies which arranged the flight? This is certainly a travesty.

http://www.nationnews.com/story/300023142274779.php 

Home to Ghana soon
Published on: 3/2/08.

GOVERNMENT HAS MOVED full steam ahead in an effort to get 96 Ghanians who are stranded in Barbados, back to
their African homeland.

The Africans, who arrived on February 1 for a two-week stay, had even started working on a construction site in an effort to make money for purchasing basic amenities, after their Ghana Airlines return flight never came back to Barbados on February 15 as scheduled.

In a Press release issued yesterday, the Ministry of International Transport said it continued to actively seek ways for ensuring the Ghanians’ repatriation.

“The ministry is in touch with Ghana Airlines and has tried to prompt urgent action from the Ghana Tourist Board on this matter,” the release said. “The local ground handling agency for Seasons’ Travel & Tours has also been proactive
in these efforts,” it added.

“Government, recognising the plight of these people stranded due to unfortunate circumstances, is taking urgent steps through diplomatic channels to bring this consular emergency to the attention of the High Commission of Ghana and will work with that Government towards speedy repatriation of its stranded nationals,” the ministry stated.

The ministry also explained that the Ghana Airline charter flight was allowed to come to Barbados, as a way of improving ties between Barbados and the West African nation.

“In an effort to open new lines of opportunity for Barbadians, Government has always sought to foster and enhance direct transportation links with other parts of the world, including links with mainland Africa,” the release stated.

“Based on the exchanges with Ghana Airlines and the involvement of a tour operator certified by the Ghana Tourist Board, there was every confidence that the charter would return to Barbados for the passengers February 15, as indicated. A permit for the charter was therefore issued to Ghana International Airlines Ltd. The charter service, for whatever reasons, has not returned.”

The visit was organised through private sector arrangements by a Ghana tour company using a Barbadian counterpart as ground handler, and was not initiated by any Government entity. (BA)