Ghana’s trade unionist, Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, who was being held by Zimbabwe’s Immigration department since Tuesday morning, has been released, according to Zimbabwe’s Information Permanent Secretary, Nick Mangwana.
Adu-Amankwah who is the Secretary-General of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Africa, arrived in Zimbabwe on Tuesday morning for an international solidarity meeting with one of ITUC Africa affiliate, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
He was taken into custody by immigration officials and taken back to Robert Mugabe International Airport just after he had checked into a Harare hotel.
It is not yet clear why he was held, and there are no details yet on the conditions of his release.
Fears abounded that he could be deported, and ITUC had to intervene by urgently writing to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, demanding for the labour leader’s immediate release.
Amankwah is scheduled to meet the Ministry of Labour, the International Labour Organisation and the Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe for an appreciation of the trade union in that country.
“This is to bring to your attention that …Adu-Amankwah (a Ghanaian) has been taken from (a local hotel) where he checked in upon arrival…we fear he is being processed for deportation. We, nevertheless, hope this will not be the case,” part of the ITUC Africa letter to Mnangagwa, signed by the Deputy Secretary Adrian Akouete stated.
“We ask that your government take the necessary steps to ensure that Adu-Amankwah is released and allowed to continue with his mission. The least appropriate thing will be that the Zimbabwe Department of Immigration will tender an unreserved apology for this action and take genuine efforts to prevent future reoccurrence,” read part of the ITUC letter.
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Source: Newsday.co.zw
