Ghanaian passports appear to be the hottest commodity among Nigerians in Malaysia.
Reports reaching DAILY GUIDE in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, indicate that several Nigerians had dubiuosly travelled on Ghanaian passports to the Asian country, and reportedly ended up using them to commit crimes.
Several cases of such fraudulent acts are reported daily to the Ghanaian mission in Kuala Lumpur by the Malaysian authorities.
According to the reports, when the Nigerians are arrested, they find on them Ghanaian passports and when the case is reported to the High Commission, it turns out that the holders of the travel document have nothing to do with Ghana.
Interestingly, the passports are genuine with biometric futures, but fraudulently acquired.
Those who are dispatched to provide consular services   to suspected offenders return with information that the arrested people have nothing to do with Ghana; but are
rather Nigerians who had travelled to Malaysia on Ghanaian passports.
This has exposed Ghanaians in Malaysia to unnecessary humiliation, making them face tough times in the hands of that country’s security operatives.
This came to light during an interaction with the Ghanaian community in Malaysia by Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Hajia Alima Mahama, at the Ghana High Commission.
Hajia Mahama, who is leading Ghana’s delegation to the 9th Session of the World Urban Forum in Malaysia, advised the Ghanaians to live in peace with their hosts.
She said they should be law abiding so that they don’t fall foul of the law.
The local government minister used the occasion to explain President Akufo-Addo’s government’s programmes, particularly the ‘One District, One Factory (1D1F),’ and asked them to woo investors to partner them.
She said Malaysia has a lot to learn from, particularly in the area of technology and agro business.
Hajia Mahama is of the strong belief that Ghana is ready for a take-off and that they (Ghanaians in Malaysia) should not be left behind.
The minister was very passionate about Ghana’s development, saying that the path being charted by the government would yield good dividends.
She expressed her appreciation for the warm reception accorded her and her team.
The minister was attending the UN Urban Forum with Robert Ahomka Lindsay, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry; Nana Boateng Agyei, deputy in her ministry and some metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives together with their planning officers to learn about urban and city planning.
Also present was the newly accredited Ghana High Commissioner to Malaysia, Akua Ahenkora.
The forum ends tomorrow.
From Fortune Alimi, Kuala Lumpur