The Abelenkpe, Accra, Canadian Visa Application Centre has apologized for the crowding outside of its doors, stating that it was out of their control.
The extended wait times have infuriated Ghanaian applicants, who have demanded long-term solutions and called it disrespectful and undignifying for them to have to stand in long lines at the mercy of inclement weather with no shelter.
Speaking on behalf of the Center, Kojo Wilmot, the National Officer of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), stressed that the excessive volume of applicants along with their friends and family was the reason behind the outdoor queuing, not the intention of the organization.
“We treat everyone with dignity, respect, and utmost care. It is a problem for me when I am going to the visa application centre and I see a lot of people sitting under trees and queuing.
“We are definitely very sorry to be seeing these queues and we in no uncertain terms, are happy seeing these things but inasmuch as we are always striving to improve our systems and ensure that we give an efficient service delivery systems to our clientele and when the opportunity also presents itself, conscientize them that there is no need coming to the centre with a lot of people for these things,” Wilmot is quoted to have told Bernard Avle on the Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM on Thursday, February 22, 2024.
He apologized for the inconvenience but emphasized the Center’s commitment to providing services with constant improvement. He talked about the crowding and said that applicants often came with friends, family, and even pastors. Wilmot strongly advised against these kinds of actions, stressing how crucial it is for people to keep to their scheduled times in order to prevent needless traffic.
“We advise that there is no need to come to the centre with a pastor to help you submit your application or undertake the biometric because, at the end of the day, we have no say in the decision that is taken,” he said.
In recent times, Canada, the North American country, has become one of the favourite destinations where many Ghanaians and Africans at large have been virtually jostling to travel for greener pastures.
Credit to Shinemegh.com/PulseGhana
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