Federal task force to ensure Ghanaians stay in the country
Ghanaian tourists who arrived in Brazil during the World Cup 
In the same lines as it did in early 2013 to provide legal stay conditions for Haitian refugees who entered the country illegally, the federal government will set up a task force to expedite the issuance of temporary documents to Ghanaian immigrants who arrived in Brazil holding tourist visas during the World Cup are now asking for asylum.
Justice Minister José Eduardo Cardozo met with representatives from the Foreign, Labour and Employment, and Social Development ministries, as well as the Federal Police, on Wednesday morning (july 16) to discuss a plan of action. In addition to the task force, the government will extend support – the specifics are still pending – to the City of Caxias do Sul, where the majority of Ghanaians are located. The efforts will begin immediately in the Federal Police units, but the joint mission of federal agencies in Caxias do Sul will start on Monday (21).
The Foreign Ministry reports 8,767 visas were issued to Ghanaians for the World Cup period. Not all visas authorizing entry into the country until July 13 for a period of 90 days were effectively used. The Federal Police Department confirmed that a total 2,529 Ghanaians actually entered the country, and of these, 1,397 have already left. Of those who remain in the country on the 90-day tourist visas, 180 applied as refugees.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Federal task force to ensure Ghanaians stay in the country
