Security personnel at the Tema Port have arrested a 28-year-old Ghanaian, Selassie Jordan, on board a Cameroun bound vessel in an attempt to stowaway to the US.
The latest arrest brings to 18, the number of persons arrested this year for trying to stowaway at the Tema Port.
Port Security Manager Col Joseph Punamane, told the media that the activities of these persons could tarnish the image of the country's port.
Jordan, a native of Takoradi Efiekuma in the Western region is reported to have attempted boarding the Cameroonian bound vessel MV Yarris on Monday morning, when he was stopped by port security personnel and cautioned to desist from embarking on any illegal form of traveling.
However, with the vigilance and surveillance of port security, Selassie Jordan with the aim of stowaway to the US, was reported to have returned in the evening, this time climbing into the vessel with the aid of anchor rope hanging on the vessel.
Port security personnel quickly moved in and arrested the suspect who was locked up in a chamber of the vessel. During interrogation, Selassie Jordan in a sober and repentive mood told port officials that he thought the vessel was bound to the USA.
He said it was poverty which had forced to him to embark on such a dangerous journey.
Col Joseph Punamane warned Ghanaians to desist from such acts since Vessel owners always end up killing such persons and disposing them into the sea whenever they are caught, because per the laws vessel owners are mandated to bear the cost of the repatriation of stowaways caught on vessels.
Meanwhile the latest arrest brings to 18 the number of stowaways arrested at the Tema port since the beginning of the year. It would be recalled that in May this year some 6 Tunisian stowaways were also arrested at the Tema Port who have since been repatriated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8czq4AKYv8&feature=youtu.be
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Philip Azu
