A new political movement in Ghana called the New Force has raised grave concerns about the arrest and incarceration of one of its spokespersons, Shalimar Abbiusi.
The New Force claimed in an unsigned news statement dated December 7, 2023, that Ms. Abbiusi was detained by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) without being formally charged since her arrest on December 4.
They further assert that she was detained
for longer than the permitted 48 hours, that her property was unlawfully
searched, and that she was refused access to legal counsel.
According to The New Force, Ms. Abbiusi's
detention was carried out with political motivation and amounted to an abuse of
authority.
The New Force group noted in the press
release—which lacks a physical address on the letterhead aside from social
media handles—that Ms. Abbiusi's residence permit was granted by the Ghana
Immigration Service, but the authorities used a purported problem with one of
her documents as justification for her detention.
The government's vandalism of New Force
billboards is criticized as well, with the statement characterizing it as the
work of "cowards" and those who have "lost the moral plot of
leadership."
The New Force promises a "New
Ghana" under their leadership and exhorts Ghanaians to be watchful and
demand a different style of politics. They further stress that a prompt and
equitable conclusion is expected and that the international community is
keenly following the situation.
Shalimar Abbiusi, a 30-year-old Belgian
national, was accused by the Kaneshie District Court in Accra of allegedly
fabricating paperwork to get a residency visa in Ghana.
She was charged with "Obtaining for
Yourself a Student Permit by False Declaration," especially section 52 (1)
(i) of the Immigration Act 2000 (Act 573).
In a widely shared social media video,
Shalimar Abbiusi, a spokesman for the New Force in Ghana, is shown pleading for
support for the fledgling political organization in Ghana.
For falsely declaring herself a student of
the Ghana Christian University College on or before September 23, 2023, in the
Greater Accra Region, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) says Abbiusi had the
intent to evade legal requirements to be a resident of Ghana.
Following the false declaration, Abbiusi
was able to successfully acquire a student permit with the number, 0088754.
The legal action was initiated by the Ghana
Immigration Service on December 6, 2023, and the case is currently under the
jurisdiction of the District Court in Kaneshie, Accra.
Abbiusi’s arrest took place after she was
invited by the Head of the National Enforcement Section at the Immigration
Headquarters to address concerns about her immigration status in Ghana.
The Ghana Immigration Service became aware
of Abbiusi’s activities through social media, where she introduced a new
political group called “The New Force” and identified herself as its
spokesperson.
Investigations revealed that Abbiusi entered Ghana on September 4, 2017, through the Kotoka International
Airport (KIA) and had been a regular visitor until 2018 when she claimed to
become a resident due to her supposed admission to the Ghana Christian
University College.
However, checks from the college confirmed
that Abbiusi had never been a student, and documents supporting her application
for a residence permit were deemed forged.
Ongoing investigations seek to uncover the
full extent of the issues surrounding the emergence of “The New Force”
political group.
Abbiusi has been charged with the offense
and is currently before the court.
The prosecution has requested that she
should be remanded into Immigration custody to facilitate further
investigations into the matter.
Physical address on the letterhead except for social media handles, the New Force group pointed to the fact that Ms.
Abbiusi’s residence permit was issued by the Ghana Immigration Service, yet the
authorities used an alleged issue with one of her documents to justify her
detention.
The statement also criticizes the
government for vandalizing New Force billboards, calling it an act of “cowards”
and individuals who have “lost the moral plot of leadership.”
The New Force calls on Ghanaians to be
vigilant and demand a different kind of politics, promising a “New Ghana” under
their leadership. They also emphasize that the international community is
closely monitoring the situation and expects a swift and just resolution.
