Ghana - On 14 December, IOM Ghana with support from the Canadian High Commission in Ghana hosted the first-ever Global Migration Film Festival with the screening of “Wallah-Je Te Jure”. The documentary highlights stories of West African men and women who undertook dangerous journeys in order to reach Italy. Over 100 residents, particularly young people, from the migrant community of Nima attended the film festival.

The community learning centre in Nima was selected as the venue for the film festival screening as instances of irregular migration are quite common among residents from this area. The film festival was opened by the UN Resident Coordinator, Christine Evans-Klock, the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Heather Cameron and IOM Ghana’s Chief of Mission, Sylvia Lopez-Ekra.

Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Heather Cameron, highlighted the important contribution of migrants and refugees to Canada`s growth, and to the building of vibrant and inclusive societies.  However, she also noted the risks of migration, “For all its benefits, history has shown us that migration is not always easy, and it does not always lead to positive outcomes for those leaving their homeland.  Migrants who embark on difficult journeys can be the victims of countless human rights abuses; often perpetrated by those they trusted to assist them.”

During the film, Superintendent Mark Boakye from Ghana Immigration Service interjected by offering relevant insight on the film, which framed it in a more local context that the Nima residents and youth could identify with. This also allowed dialogue throughout the screening.

The event concluded with a powerful testimony from Eric Opoku Ware, a Nima resident and returnee who experienced first-hand the dangers of traversing through the Sahara desert to get to Europe. He shared his story with the audience. “After three days in the dessert, our car broke down and we eventually ran out of water. We were so dehydrated that we had to drink our own urine to survive…I saw a lot of my friends die in the desert.” Eric uses his personal experience to help others make a more informed decision about migrating. He founded The Sahara Hustler’s Association as a way to sensitize migrants on the dangers of irregular migration and trafficking, while also providing advice and support to displaced refugees.

The Global Migration Film Festival was celebrated in over 75 missions worldwide to commemorate International Migrants Day—highlighting the contribution of migrants as well as the challenges they face. The festival was also a part of the UN Together campaign—a global initiative that aims to change the negative perceptions and attitudes towards refugees and migrants, and strengthen the social contract between host countries and communities and refugees and migrants.

For further information please contact Kari Henry at IOM Ghana, Tel: +233 302 742 930, Email: khenry@iom.int