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General News of Friday, 9 August 2024

Source: Ghana High Commission, UK

RE: UK protest - Ghanaians in the UK lament over neglect by High Commission

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

The attention of the Ghana High Commission to the United Kingdom [UK] and the Republic of Ireland has been drawn to an article that was published on the GhanaWeb site on Thursday 8th August 2024, titled "UK Protest: Ghanaians in the UK lament over neglect by High Commission."

2. In the said article, it was alleged that one Mr Kofi Marfo, a Ghanaian journalist with Rainbow Radio UK, in an interview with Channel One TV, stated that the High Commission has been quiet in communicating and cautioning its nationals in the UK.

3. The High Commission regrets the allegation of inaction or indifference levelled against the office because it is both untruthful and most unhelpful in the unfortunate circumstances in which our host nation and Mission find ourselves.

4. The hard fact is that despite the irregular and sporadic nature of the nationwide riots, we categorically state that we have followed the trends as much as it is possible and maintained contact with the various heads of the registered Ghanaian Associations across the UK during these unprecedented riots.

5. Among some measures which may not be fully disclosed for now, through these interactions, the Mission has requested the aforementioned leaders to communicate to their constituents the need to be cautious in their daily activities and to avoid areas where groups were gathering to protest.

6. Indeed, while doing so, the Mission also shared locations of rioting both in London and across the UK with them, and advised that our nationals remain vigilant in those towns and cities.

7. The Mission additionally reached out to some of the leaders of the associations to assist it in verifying reports of Ghanaians who have allegedly been attacked. The ongoing checks are, however, yet to reveal that any Ghanaian has been harmed.

8. We want to assure all nationals including those with dual citizenships that the High Commission would continue to discharge all its legitimate rights under the Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilians in defending the lives of all Ghanaians and people of Ghanaian descent.