BMA processes 663 Ghanaian nationals for repatriation
The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, has confirmed that the BMA has successfully processed 663 Ghanaian nationals for repatriation from South Africa to Ghana through OR Tambo International Airport over the weekend.
The repatriation process was coordinated through the Port Management Committee (PMC), comprising various government stakeholders responsible for facilitating lawful and orderly movement across the port of entry.
On Saturday, a group of 332 Ghanaian nationals was brought to OR Tambo International Airport by the Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria for repatriation.
Following an extensive check-in process, the travelers proceeded to BMA Immigration for verification and clearance.
“Of the travelers processed, 170 were travelling on Ghanaian ordinary passports, while 162 were using Emergency Travel Certificates issued by the Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria.
Emergency Travel Certificates are single-use travel documents issued to facilitate the return of citizens to their country of origin,” the BMA said in a statement.
During immigration processing, 321 travelers were found to have overstayed their allocated period of stay in South Africa by 30 days or longer.
Consequently, they were declared undesirable in terms of Section 30 of the Immigration Act, read together with Regulation 27(3)(c) of the Immigration Regulations.
