The West African Human Rights Committee has denounced the barbaric treatment meted out to the Ghanaian deportee Mr. Joseph Gyimah by four German security personnel. Mr. Gyimah who was allegedly staying in Germany without valid papers was chained, handcuffed and tied to his seat with a crash helmet on his head during the long flight from Germany to Moscow enroute to Accra. A statement issued by the committee and signed by its co-ordinator in Ghana, Kwesi Pratt jnr. said it is tempted to believe that the treatment Mr. Gyimah received from the German security services was largely influenced by the racist prejudice which blames al the problems of Europe on the influx of illegal immigrants from Africa and other so called third world countries. The statement pointed out that Germany contributed significantly to the refugee problem of Africa through its support of the dreaded Structura1 Adjustment Programme that has resulted in the growth of poverty on the continent. In this vein, the committee said Germany should not run away from its responsibility by expelling immigrants fleeing from the mess it has created in Africa. This latest reaction follows numerous complaints received by JOYFM from Ghanaians both home and abroad over Mr. Gyimah’s treatment last Thursday.
