Ghanaians not part of Libya slave trade; set to return home – Gov’t

The government says it is working towards bringing home 168 Ghanaians detained in Libya. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghanaians were in detention camps for illegal migrants and have not been sold as slaves as earlier reported.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said following reports that African nationals were being sold as slaves in Libya, the Ghana Mission in Malta with concurrent accreditation from Libya, paid a consular visit to three detention centers in Tripoli (Tajoora, Trek Al Sika and Trek Mater) were illegal migrants were being heldthe 168, who were thought to be victims of a slave trade activity in Libya, were rather illegal migrants arrested by the Libyan government.
It said the visit was to confirm reports about their conditions and offer assistance to those identified as Ghanaian detainees.
“It emerged that 168 Ghanaian detainees who were identified, were not part of the slave trade as alleged, but had rather been arrested on illegal immigration charges, and were already being held in detention camps,” the statement said.
According to the Ministry added that it was working together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to get those Ghanaians back into the country.
The statement said undocumented Ghanaians were immediately issued with the necessary travel documents to facilitate their quick repatriation to Ghana on a chartered flight, with support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The Ministry also disclosed that it was working towards reopening the Ghanaian Consulate in Libya, which was closed down during the Libyan crisis.