UK £3,000 bond: Ghana MPs angry; Govt to respond appropriately

Government says it will “respond appropriately” to the new UK immigration policy requiring Ghanaian visitors to the UK to deposit £3,000 as a guarantee for their return.

A Deputy Information and Media Relations Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the new policy has just come to the attention of government, which is now assessing it.

The policy, according to the UK government is to prevent residents from “high risk” countries from over staying in the UK.

Once a resident departs from the UK the £3,000 bond is returned to him or her.

The policy, once implemented will affect Ghana, Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

But some Members of Parliament in Ghana are livid over the new policy and are calling on the government to retaliate.

MP for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Eugenia Kusi made the call on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday that Uk residents must be treated the same way when they want to visit Ghana.

Her view is shared by a number of MPs, Joy News’ Parliamentary correspondent Elton John Brobbey has learnt.

MP for Manhyia South, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, pushed for a formal statement to be read on the floor of the House, to signal Ghana’s unhappiness with the new policy, Elton Brobbey reported.

Some of the MPs insist Ghana must stand up and defend her sovereignty.

There are fears the policy if, retaliated, will lead to a diplomatic row between Ghana and the UK government.

But government maintains it is still exploring the options available to it and will respond accordingly.

The new policy was announced barely a week after Ghana's President John Mahama held bilateral meetings with the UK Prime Minister David Cameron during which the two countries pledged to forge closer ties.