Accra (Greater Accra) 2nd June '99

Ghana on Tuesday appealed to the Saudi authorities to investigate reports of maltreatment of Ghanaian immigrants in that country and ensure their safety.

Mr Joseph Awa Laryea, deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the appeal when a Special Envoy from Saudi Arabia, Prince Torki Mohammed called on Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills at the Castle, Osu, to discuss bilateral issues.

The envoy also delivered a special message from King Fahd to President Jerry Rawlings through Prof. Mills.

Mr Laryea recalled two separate incidents in which, he said, Ghanaian women who were recruited for jobs in Saudi Arabia were maltreated by their hosts.

In the first incident one of the women was beaten and denied her entitlement because she used her employer's telephone without permission.

The Deputy Minister said another 35 women were denied their correct remuneration for unexplained reasons, the deputy foreign minister said.

Mr Laryea said in both incidents, his ministry lodged a formal complaint to the authorities but nothing has been heard since.

He therefore tasked the envoy to get to the roots of the reports and bring justice to the unfortunate victims.

Mr Laryea also urged the authorities to ensure that agreements between employers and people being recruited are well documented.

Vice-President Mills said the time had come for Ghana and Saudi Arabia to enhance their relations in terms of trade and social exchanges.

He expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia's continued support for Ghana's development programmes, citing Saudi assistance at the early stages of the Economic Recovery Programme which was launched in 1983.

Prince Mohammed assured the Vice-President that he would take personal interest in the matters discussed and work towards an enhanced and cordial relationship between the two countries.