of the earthquake and tsunami that hit north eastern Japan on Friday 11th March 2011.
My thoughts are very much with the people in the affected areas at this time and also
with the citizens of Fukushima Prefecture who are dealing with the ongoing situation at
the nuclear power plant and Ghanaians living in Japan most importantly those in most
affected areas.
I understand that because of the recent earthquake, nuclear issues and international
media coverage (CNN March 23, 2011 “Embassies closing, moving south of Tokyo, Japan” )
some Embassies including Ghana Embassy are moving out of Tokyo. Ghana Embassy
choose to moved to Korea without information Ghanaians living in Japan causing panic
among Ghanaians in the Earthquake and Tsunami devastated country, adding salt to
injuries.
A concern Ghanaian citizen living in Tokyo who wants a traveling document for his new
born baby just in case there is mass evacuation of people from Tokyo found closed
Embassy with a notice that would send chill to any Ghanaian's spine if not panic.(picture
attached).
“It is announced for the information of Ghanaian nationals and the general public that in view
of the current conditions prevailing in The Tokyo Metropolis, the Embassy will be temporarily
closed from Tuesday, 22nd March, 2011 until further notice.”
The way the notice was pasted at the entrance of the Embassy speaks for itself. It is
unprofessional, disgusting, a disgrace and an insult to Ghana and Ghanaians living in
Japan. The notice looks like, “the world is coming to an end we have to get out of here”
without informing fellow Ghanaians. The local staffs of the Embassy were left behind
including some Ghanaian nationals and their family whom some have young children
and have worked for the embassy for years.
What is prevailing in the Tokyo Metropolis (Why the Embassy failed to inform
Ghanaians in Japan?) that warrants the closer of the embassy without any contact
information in an emergency? There is a rumor going on that some Ghanaians are
missing since the double disaster earthquake/tsunami two weeks ago and presumed
dead. Where, when and how this information got around is unknown. I for example and
all of my contacts in Japan have not been contacted by the Embassy in any means
except undated notice on the Embassy's website that includes, dead information about
the world cup, Obama's visit to Ghana and message from the Ambassador who have
been recalled months ago. This shows how competent our embassy is in sending
information around in this 20th century.
Ghanaians are very much concerned and some people think the Embassy have
abandoned them and run away for their own safety leaving them and the local staffs
behind. There are a number of questions Ghanaians like me are asking now. Where is
the Embassy now? (Unconfirmed, run away to Korea) If true, why didn’t they inform us?
Why, Korea is not southern Japan? Tokyo is 302 kilometers away from Sendai.
The following are the approx. distance in kilometers from Sendai, the nearest city to the
hard hit and most affected area to other cities in and around Japan. Osaka, Japan (388)
Fukuoka Ghana consulate office, Japan (388) Okinawa, Japan (1802) Soul, South Korea
runaway embassy location (1218) California, USA ( 8562)
I am not an expert but according to oncologist, the further you go the less you will be
affected by radiation if there is leakage. Why did the Embassy moved to Korea not
Fukuoka in Japan where we have a consulate office, or Okinawa (Japan) which is far
away from the troubled nuclear plant in Fukushima than Korea, is not clear.
There is report that people of California are worried about radiation and monitoring the
situation closely depending if there is life treating radiation leakage and the direction
of the wind. If there is the possibility of radiation leakage that can reach the coast of
America, then what are the Ghana Embassy officials doing in Korea? It’s like ostrich
burying his head in the sand to hide from approaching fire,
Meanwhile some concern Ghanaians citizens are taking the power into their own hands
to open an information office in Tokyo to help about 1900 (registered) Ghanaians in
Japan. Would they be able to do that? Can they provide the information their follow
Ghanaians need and would need in time of mass evacuation? What I know is we have
to do something to help ourselves.
We urge any Ghanaian in Japan with information that can help fellow Ghanaians on
the current crisis to share it on a facebook page created for Ghanaians in Japan . We
also urge fellow Ghanaians in Japan to volunteer their time and resources in this time of
need to help their brothers and sisters in the crisis hit areas. Some of the things that you
can do are’ Publish List of Ghanaian Associations in Japan and their contact numbers,
publish list of missing people. Share relevant information concerning the crisis that will
be useful to Ghanaians in Japan. You can also contact these persons.
Jay: mrjerryjb@gmail.com
Ben: benkusi@lycos.com
Amponsah: ki1003sa.rifs@gmail.com
May God save our homeland Ghana, Ghanaians in Japan and please pray for us.
Benard Kwame Oppong-Kusi
(Concerned Ghanaian in Japan)
benkusi@lycos.com
