Ghana: 1) Details from the author of the article "Gadaffi's Girations", New Africa July 1989, pp. 16-17, specifically on what pro-Libyan elements of the Provisional National Defence Committee (PNDC) were involved in the scheme described in the article and on whether this scheme was continued after 1987; 2) Document Number: copy of the whole article
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 August 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GHA11557 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ghana: 1) Details from the author of the article "Gadaffi's Girations", New Africa July 1989, pp. 16-17, specifically on what pro-Libyan elements of the Provisional National Defence Committee (PNDC) were involved in the scheme described in the article and on whether this scheme was continued after 1987; 2) Document Number: copy of the whole article, 1 August 1992, GHA11557, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab28c.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
1) According to the author of "Gadaffi's Girations," New African July 1989, pp. 16-17, who is a free-lance journalist residing in London, most members of the Provisional National Defence Committee (PNDC) were pro-Libyan, the reason being that Libya provided arms, ammunition, food, and other supplies to help Flight Lieutenant Rawlings to successfully carry out his coup d'état in 1981 (25 Aug. 1992). However, during the 1980s, ideological splits divided the PNDC, some members advocating a severance of ties with Libya in order to conform with International Monetary Fund (IMF) policies (Ibid.). Relations between Ghana and Libya are still good today, however, and Rawlings himself is considered pro-Libyan (Ibid.).
The author of the article stated that he was not sure whether the scheme permitting Ghanaians to work in Libya had been continued after 1987 (Ibid.). However, the author mentionned that in recent years, Libya has expelled many West Africans, including Ghanaians, whom Ghana and neighbouring countries have often refused to take back (Ibid.). The incidence of military training of West Africans in Libya remains still high, however (Ibid.). Recent examples include Liberians who now fight alongside with Charles Taylor and Sierra Leonians who guard their countries' borders (Ibid.).
Another writer at New African, who usually covers the situation in Ghana, confirmed that most prominent members of the PNDC, including Rawlings, are pro-Libyans since Gadaffi supported their coup with arms and money in 1981 (25 Aug. 1992). Libya and the PNDC still remain on very good terms today, according to the same source (Ibid.). Around 1985, some ideological misunderstanding was apparent but was short-lived (Ibid.).
The same source adds that, among others, Ghanaian teachers went to Libya on their own or as part of a more formal programme (Ibid.). He added that most probably some Ghanaians are still going to work in Libya today (Ibid.).
Corroborative or additional information is currently unavailable to the IRBDC in Ottawa.
2) Please find attached a full copy of the article cited above (New African July 1989, 16-17).
References
Free-lance journalist [Author of the article "Gadaffi's Girations", New African July 1989, pp. 16-17]. 25 August 1992. London, U.K. Telephone interview.
New African [London]. 25 August 1992. Telephone interview with the writer who covers Ghana.
. July 1989. D. Davies. "Gadaffi's Girations," pp. 16-17.
Attachment
. July 1989. D. Davies. "Gadaffi's Girations," pp. 16-17.
