AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH IOM CHIEF

UNCLAS ACCRA 002582

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF GH
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH IOM CHIEF



1. SUMMARY: During the Ambassador's meeting Davide Terzi,
the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of
Mission, Terzi said the persistent cultural acceptability of
child trafficking and the UNHCR's laggard handling of refugee
resettlement significantly hamper IOM programs. Terzi also
outlined his development programs in conjunction with
Ghanaian expatriates. End Summary.


2. Terzi paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador on December

16. Terzi mentioned his successful programs to prevent
trafficking in children, which had thus far resulted in the
rescue of 700 victims. Still, Terzi said, cultural barriers
remained with traditional rulers and many other Ghanaians
describing child trafficking as perfectly normal. Terzi
noted that some children as young as three had been recruited
and forced to work 15-hour days in the fishing industry,
often doing the dangerous underwater work of untangling
fishing nets.


2. On the resettlement front, Terzi echoed our
disappointment in the pace of refugee referrals coming from
UNHCR. In his opinion, taking care of refugees had become a
big business, which resettlement could easily threaten. He
looked forward to working closely with the Embassy to help us
meet our admissions targets for FY 06.


3. Terzi is spearheading an innovative program known as
Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA),which harnesses
the skills, energy, and training of the diaspora community
for the benefit of their home country. He would like to
involve more Ghanaian expatriates in short-term teaching
assignments, in temporary work details, in a micro-credit
lending program for launching small businesses, and in
e-learning via tele-conferencing, all of which would help
generate sustainable development. It would be a pity if
Ghana had not advanced to middle-income status by the next
generation, said Terzi.


4. Ambassador thanked Terzi for the meeting and said she
looked forward to working with him.

BRIDGEWATER