LET THE LAW TAKE ITS COURSE (JAN 15, 2011)

GHANAIANS are reputed to be the most hospitable people on the African continent and even beyond. Any first-time visitor to the country does not fail to notice the amiable and warm character of the people.
The Ghanaian easily opens up to foreigners and offers them the necessary assistance to be able to overcome the cultural shock and adjust to the local environment.
There is no doubt, however, that in every community there is a deviant, but, generally, the majority of Ghanaians are law-abiding in their own country and abroad.
Unfortunately, however, certain developments indicate that some foreigners are taking the Ghanaian hospitality for granted.
It is also sad that a section of foreign nationals mistake Ghanaian hospitality for timidity and abuse the welcome that is extended to them by engaging in illegal acts. There are very clear rules governing the activities of legal immigrants in any country, but in Ghana some of the immigrants are engaged in retail trade and other business ventures reserved for the indigenous people.
Some of the aliens in our midst are involved in illegal activities such as pair trawling, fishing in restricted areas along the coast and illegal mining activities, otherwise known as galamsey.
The DAILY GRAPHIC recalls that in the 1970s, the then government introduced a policy to help Ghanaians capture the “commanding heights of the economy” by reserving certain business activities for Ghanaians.
Retail trade, for instance, is a no-go area for foreigners. But today, the central business district of Accra and other urban areas are under siege by foreigners who are selling every item under the sun.
The people of Ghana appreciate the essence and benefits of globalisation, but the global village still has room for sovereign laws that must be respected by citizens and foreigners alike.
Indeed, Ghana has benefited immensely from its relations with a number of countries across the globe and this support has helped to improve the well-being of the people.
However, we call on the appropriate authorities to let the law take its course in the trial of the 49 fishermen, including some foreigners, who were arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing in restricted areas along the coast.
The Ghana Immigration Service, for instance, has an obligation to screen all foreigners entering the country so that illegal ones can be turned away at the point of entry.
The DAILY GRAPHIC thinks our immigration laws must be tightened further to make it unattractive for illegal immigrants to live in the country, let alone engage in illegal activities.
We shall not advocate the expulsion of foreigners in our midst because even though some of them are criminals, we know others are contributing immensely to the development of the country.
Over the last two years or so, the government has secured huge sums in loans from some foreign countries to expand the infrastructure base of the country. This gesture speaks volumes about the positive dividends to be derived from the development of healthy relations with our neighbours and other countries in the comity of nations.
The DAILY GRAPHIC, however, calls on the government to shut its doors on foreigners who are bent on causing a strain in relations between Ghana and the countries from where the illegal immigrants come from.
We cherish international brotherhood but from the quarters of those who reciprocate our hospitality.