By Amadou Manjang
Nearly 600 people in Ghana Town, a community in Brufut, are facing the risk of being stateless, according to an assessment report presented to The Gambia’s National Assembly.
The report, submitted by the Gambia Immigration Department, was based on a study conducted by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Gambia Food and Nutrition Association, and the Gambia Commission for Refugees.
The research carried out between 29 October and 1 November 2024, examined the legal status of Ghana Town residents and recommended steps to address their situation.
A Community Without Documents
According to the findings, 94% of those surveyed had no official documents from Ghana or any other country, leaving them in legal uncertainty. Some have lived in The Gambia for over 50 years.
The UNHCR defines stateless people as those who are “not considered as nationals by any state under the operation of its law,” which can leave them without access to basic services such as healthcare and education.
The report states that this situation poses a significant challenge for Ghana Town residents.
A Growing Population at Risk
Researchers interviewed 686 people across different age groups. The majority—542, or nearly 79%—were born in The Gambia, while 134 were born in Ghana.
The study found that the community has a young population, with 1,735 children, including 842 boys and 893 girls.
“There is a pressing need to address the potential risks of statelessness for future generations,” the report warns.
Although most of those surveyed—98.8%—consider The Gambia their home, less than 1% identify Ghana as their country of origin.
Despite this, many are unable to obtain Gambian citizenship. Under Gambian law, being born in the country does not automatically grant citizenship if both parents are foreign nationals.
Struggles with Documentation
The lack of official identification is another major issue. Of those surveyed, 377 had no form of ID.
Meanwhile, 257 held Gambian identity cards issued under former President Yahya Jammeh’s government, but they have been unable to renew them.
More than half—55%—had no valid or expired Gambian national identity document, while only 43 respondents had Gambian passports, which they could not renew.
The report states that “the Barrow government’s decision to stop ID and passport acquisition launched by the former regime is the principal cause of documents non-renewal by owners.”
Calls for Reform
The report recommends legal reforms to allow people born to foreign parents in The Gambia to obtain citizenship.
It also calls for awareness campaigns to inform affected communities about their rights and pathways to legal recognition.
It further urges cooperation between the Gambian and Ghanaian governments to facilitate naturalisation and documentation for Ghana Town residents.
According to preliminary figures from the 2024 Gambia Population and Housing Census, around 1,786 Ghanaians are living in the country, many of whom could be facing similar legal challenges.
Without action, the report warns, generations of Ghana Town residents could remain stateless, with limited access to basic rights and opportunities.
