Accra: The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has called on landlords throughout the country to demand proof of identity from prospective tenants prior to renting out properties. This measure is intended to help establish the immigration status of tenants and aid investigations in criminal cases.
According to Ghana Web, DSI Justice Kudzo Normeshie, the Public Affairs Officer of GIS at Aflao, highlighted the importance of verifying tenants' identities during a migration workshop in Ho. The event, titled 'Reframing Narratives on Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa,' was attended by approximately 100 journalists and student journalists from various media outlets and educational institutions in the Volta Region.
The workshop is part of a larger training program on 'Digital Content Creation and Mini-video Blogging on Free Movement in West Africa,' which is jointly funded by the European Union and the ECOWAS Commission and implemented by Media Response (Ghana) with support from GIS. Supporting agencies include the International Organisation for Migration, the International Labour Organisation, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, and the ECOWAS@50 initiative.
DSI Normeshie emphasized that while the ECOWAS protocol allows for free movement across borders, individuals are still required to carry valid travel or identity documents to take advantage of this arrangement. He added that security remains a top priority and that there are formal procedures for crossing borders. Nationals from ECOWAS member states who wish to reside in Ghana are required to obtain residence permits.
He also warned travelers against abusing the 90-day free stay policy, explaining that overstaying could result in penalties. In terms of immigration reporting, DSI Normeshie urged journalists to use compassionate language when covering stories about migrants, particularly those displaced by uncontrollable circumstances.
He highlighted the importance of avoiding terms like "illegal immigrant" for individuals fleeing conflict and relocating to Ghana, as they may be irregular immigrants but not illegal. Furthermore, he cautioned against using hate speech, harsh descriptions, and victim-blaming in media coverage of migration issues, stressing that vulnerable migrants should not automatically be portrayed as criminals.
Similarly, Samuel Dodoo, Executive Director of Media Response, urged journalists to be careful with their terminology when reporting on migration matters. He stressed the need to enhance media capacity for informed and responsible reporting on migration and free movement in West Africa.