Residents of Ghana Town have raised serious concerns over what they describe as long-standing discrimination and systemic exclusion, despite being born and raised in The Gambia.

At a recent community meeting with members of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), locals voiced frustration over decades of marginalisation—from being denied access to national documents and government jobs, to facing barriers in education and healthcare.

“We’re denied equal rights,” said community spokesperson Alex Mensah. “When our children qualify for university or Gambia College, they are rejected—not because of merit, but because they are from Ghana Town.”

Residents said their children, born to parents of Ghanaian descent but raised in The Gambia, are often treated as foreigners. Several families reported that students are forced to pay international tuition fees when studying abroad, and face discrimination even within local public services.

“Our children are Gambian in every way except on paper,” Mensah said. “Women giving birth in hospitals are treated differently. No one from our community works in any government office.”

The community cited the case of Gideon, a top-performing student from St. Augustine’s School who was reportedly denied university admission despite winning a scholarship, due to documentation issues.

“What could that boy have contributed to this country?” Mensah asked. “All his dreams were shattered.”

Mary Mensah, 35, described routine harassment by authorities: “They come here, harass us, beat us, threaten to take our documents. These matters should be handled through the Alkalo, but they’re not. We’re treated like we don’t belong.”

Residents also criticised political parties for neglecting them after elections. “They come here, ask for our votes, and disappear once elected,” one man said. “Year after year, nothing changes.”

Responding to the concerns, senior UDP official Dr. Lamin Manneh condemned the treatment of Ghana Town residents, calling it a violation of both national values and regional agreements.

“We are all ECOWAS citizens,” he said. “Under the ECOWAS protocol, any citizen of a member state has the right to live and work in another member country without harassment. No one should be forced to carry an alien registration certificate simply because of their background.”

Dr. Manneh added: “I’ve visited Ghana many times, and not once have I or my family been treated as outsiders. To be born and raised here, and still be denied basic rights, is not just unfair—it’s unlawful.”

By Adama Makasuba