The Ghana High Commission in South Africa has corrected the passport information and dates of birth of 15 Ghanaians repatriated from the country after discrepancies in official records suggested that some returnees would not yet have been born.
The apparent anomalies emerged in data examined during a JoyNews programme and linked to an evacuation exercise associated with Ablakwa’s data on South African evacuees.
In a statement, the High Commission said dates recorded as dates of birth had actually been passport expiry dates. It accepted that its officials had made clerical errors when transcribing passport information, but said those mistakes did not affect the identities of the evacuees, their participation in the repatriation programme or their eligibility for approved reintegration and transportation allowances.
The errors involved 15 people from a total of 1,900 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa.
The Commission said inaccuracies of this kind could arise during emergency operations carried out in traumatic circumstances, particularly when thousands of distressed Ghanaians were being evacuated at short notice. It stressed, however, that every evacuee had completed the required identification, data-processing and departure procedures before leaving the country.
It released amended dates of birth and passport expiry information to resolve the discrepancies.
Among those listed is footballer James Alkoto Batfour, whose corrected date of birth is December 25, 2009. His passport expires on May 11, 2036. Precious Sekywaa, a hairdresser, was born on May 2, 1982, and has a passport expiry date of October 8, 2034.
Phap Odurs, a security worker, was born on April 12, 1994, and holds a passport valid until May 16, 2034.
The other corrected dates of birth are:
– Dj Victoria Edah – March 11, 1990
– Prince Obeng Boateng – July 13, 2007
– Ebenezar Losu, a barber – July 13, 1996
– Akua Brihin – March 2, 1982
– Philimon Opoku Nsiah, a footballer – June 18, 2010
– Rebecca Agyiwna Opoku, a hairdresser – June 16, 1986
– Emmanuel Ampomah, a barber – July 20, 1980
– Rose Pokus – June 28, 1984
– Thomas Nkrumah – December 31, 1990
– Rita Acoueh – March 22, 1988
– Rashid Abubakar – March 19, 1988
– David Botwey – April 24, 1989
The High Commission also clarified the travel arrangements involving the Jibril family, which consists of six people: a mother and her five children. It said they travelled using Emergency Travel Certificates, as shown in an amended list submitted by the Commission.
The revised information on all 15 individuals was included in that amended list so official records could be updated and the public given accurate information.
The Commission urged journalists and members of the public to check apparent inconsistencies in administrative records with the relevant official authorities.
It also reaffirmed its support for the evacuation exercise, saying it was proud of the efforts and sacrifices made to save Ghanaians’ lives and return them safely home.
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