Gambian Fishing Village Seeks Elusive Statehood
Published: 10/Dec/2024
Source: AFP / Modern Ghana
By Bekai NJIE
As Paul Techy queued with dozens of others in his coastal Gambian fishing village, he hoped to move one step closer towards finally belonging in the only country he had ever called home.
Gambian citizenship has long been an elusive goal for many residents of Ghana Town, most of whom were born in the tiny West African country but whose parents or grandparents emigrated from Ghana decades ago.
Lacking either Ghanaian or Gambian documentation, most are trapped in a legal limbo where they struggle to access basic services such as healthcare or formal employment.
“We recognise ourselves as Gambians, but Gambians don’t recognise us as Gambians,” said 46-year-old Techy, who was born in the village on the shores of the Atlantic.
“They said you are a Ghanaian born in The Gambia, you are still a foreigner… this is how they categorise us,” he said.
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