Hundreds of Gambian-born residents face uncertain stateless status in Ghana

Residents of Ghana Town in The Gambia Face Challenges with National Identity Documents

In the Gambian village of Ghana Town, located approximately 35 kilometers from the capital city of Banjul, hundreds of residents lack official documentation. Marie Mensah, a resident of the village, is among those who have struggled to obtain national identity documents.

Mensah’s children attend a private school due to the requirement for identification documents to enroll in public schools. Without these documents, enrollment becomes nearly impossible. The Village Development Committee reports that around 850 out of 900 residents in Ghana Town lack citizenship, passports, and national identification.

Ghana Town was founded in the late 1950s by 10 Ghanaian fishermen who settled along The Gambia’s coastline. Over time, their families grew, and more people were born and raised in the village. Despite being the only home they have ever known, many descendants of the original fishermen remain without official documentation.

According to Gambian law, a person born to non-Gambian parents is not recognized as a citizen, even if born in the country. Those with one Gambian parent have obtained official paperwork. However, for other residents, applications to the government have been met with rejection.

Mensah has attempted to apply for a national identity card multiple times, including when she was 18 years old. She recently visited an immigration office in Kanifing and paid $7 for an application form, only to be turned away due to her birth certificate being classified as non-Gambian.

Other residents have also reported similar rejections. Amina Issaka, a 64-year-old resident, stated that she and her family are all undocumented, having been born in the village but lacking Gambian citizenship. They face difficulties in building businesses and accessing basic services without identification documents.

The Gambia’s Constitution states that citizenship by birth is determined by descent, with at least one parent must be Gambian. For many families in Ghana Town, this law has had a significant impact on their lives for generations.

Source: Al Jazeera