MP for Jomoro Calls for Stronger Ghana-Côte d’Ivoire Relations after Speaker Bagbin’s Visit
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro, Hon. Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has called for enhanced diplomatic and legislative ties between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, following the recent visit of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, to the Ivorian National Assembly.
Hon. Affo-Toffey made the call during her maiden statement in Parliament on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, describing the Speaker’s visit as an “enriching experience” that provided valuable insights into the lives of Ghanaians living in Côte d’Ivoire.
Dorcas Affo-Toffey noted that the Ghanaian diaspora in Côte d’Ivoire plays an integral role in the socio-economic development of the host country while maintaining strong ties with Ghana.
She also highlighted the pressing concerns raised by the community during Speaker Bagbin’s engagement with them, urging Parliament to take swift action on these issues.
One of the primary concerns voiced by the Ghanaian diaspora was the long-delayed implementation of the Representation of the People’s Amendment Law (ROPAL), passed in 2006.
The law would allow Ghanaians living abroad to vote in national elections, but it has yet to be fully executed.
According to Dorcas Affo-Toffey, Ghanaians in Côte d’Ivoire are eager to participate in the democratic process and want their voices heard in Ghana’s elections. She called for Parliament to prioritize the implementation of ROPAL to ensure that the rights of Ghanaians abroad are fully recognized.
Another critical issue raised was the high cost of renewing and replacing Ghanaian passports. The current fees—80,000 CFA (about GHS 1,900) for renewal and 110,000 CFA (approximately GHS 2,600) for replacement—are seen as a financial burden by many in the diaspora.
The Jomoro lawmaker called for a review of these fees, urging Parliament to advocate for more affordable costs.
In addition to passport fees, Affo-Toffey pointed to challenges in obtaining essential identification documents such as consular cards, Ghana Cards, and ECOWAS identity cards. She urged the government to streamline these processes to make them more accessible and affordable for Ghanaians living abroad.
She also raised alarms about the growing issue of human trafficking, commonly referred to as “Q-Net,” where individuals are lured to Côte d’Ivoire with promises of jobs or opportunities to travel to Europe, only to be forced into fraudulent activities.

She further described this as a serious human rights crisis and called on both Ghanaian and Ivorian authorities to collaborate in tackling the problem.
Affo-Toffey praised Speaker Bagbin for his leadership in fostering parliamentary diplomacy and strengthening the historical and economic ties between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
She expressed gratitude to the Ivorian government and people for their warm hospitality during the Speaker’s visit, and stressed the importance of continuing to build upon these strong bilateral relations.
She appealed to Parliament to address the concerns of the Ghanaian community in Côte d’Ivoire, emphasizing that it is essential to safeguard the rights, welfare, and contributions of Ghanaians abroad.
“As representatives of the people, we must ensure that the needs of Ghanaians both at home and abroad are met,” she stated, underscoring the invaluable role the diaspora plays in Ghana’s economy and international standing.
With the Speaker’s visit acting as a catalyst, attention now turns to Parliament’s next steps in addressing these issues and reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to its citizens across the globe.
Source: Felix Nyaaba//expressnewsghana.com