The Kaneshie District Court ‘2’ presided over by Her Honour Ms Ama Adomako-Kwakye has discharged a Cameroonian, Miranda Fru Asah who had been accused of entering Ghana illegally.

Her Honour Adomako-Kwakye’s pronouncement was based on an application pending before the Ghana Refugees Board to decide on Miranda’s fate.

This was as Miranda’s plight caught the Executive Director of Proactive Ghana, Mr Theophilus K. Dzimega’s attention to her aid.

As a lawyer and Executive Director of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that stood for people’s right and their vulnerability, Mr Dzimega put up a strong argument to defend Miranda, whose punishment is imprisonment.  

Thus, Mr Dzimega told the court that at the time of Miranda’s arrest, she explained to the security officers handling her case that she was fleeing from civil unrest in the English speaking part of Cameroon.

On top of this, he argued that under the Refugee law of Ghana, Miranda was entailed to be treated as refugee and must not prohibited from becoming so.

He further contended that as at the time that Miranda was arrested and subsequent prosecution, she never got the opportunity to be assisted by solicitor.

Mr Dzimega further added that Miranda had applied to be register as refugee with the Ghana Refugee Board.  

In the light of this, he urged the court to be magnanimous with Miranda so as she is acquitted and discharge her of the charge.

Although the prosecutor, Inspector Adolf Aboagye Asenso did not oppose to the application, was quick to remind the court that applying and granting of refugee status is not automatic.

An order was made that the court is furnished with proof that Miranda had made those statements that she was fleeing from war and had same applied to the Refugee Board to declare her status.

The crux of the matter

Miranda, 31 and businesswoman, was arrested on her way to Accra by officers of the Ghana Police Service around the Aflao border while on a routine patrol.

Since Miranda was arrested on the suspicion that she entered Ghana illegally, the police referred her to the Ghana Immigration Service for further investigations.

Miranda was charged for illegal entry and put before the Magistrate court, which she pleaded guilty to the offence.

In a brief fact read to the court, Inspector Asenso said Miranda in order to evade visa requirements the country flew from Cameroon to Togo and entered Ghana through unapproved route along the eastern border.

The court held that per Miranda explanation that she was running to Ghana because of a war was touching and admitted her to bail in the sum of GH₵10,000.00 with two sureties.

The decision was reached because of Miranda’s remorsefulness as well as she being a first time offender. The court adjourned sitting to November 26, 2020 for a decision to be taken on Miranda’s sentencing.

On the returned date, Inspector Asenso pleaded with the court to defer the sentencing to enable Miranda to take a pregnancy test.

Today, Miranda’s liberty had not been curtailed, due to the selfless sacrifice of Mr Dzimega and the Proactive Ghana team.

Dede Akutu Adimer