For about three decades from the 1980s, Ghanaian professionals, and skilled and unskilled men and women – have travelled to Libya in search of a better life. Largely, they earned better wages than they did at home. I don’t know whether they were, overall, happier. Some went on to Europe to chase their dreams.
However, since the overthrow of President Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has crumbled into a vast bowl of dust, led by no one and everyone. It festers with violent militias and wild gangs who speak gunfire and breathe death.
Somehow, this Hell has failed to incinerate the desire of young people from elsewhere in Africa from traveling to or through this new Libya. They’re not put off by the rotting remains of earlier travelers littering the sand dunes. And they pay money – good money – to make the journey.
Now Black Africans trapped in Libya are being auctioned off as Slaves! Yes. Slaves.
Tonight, my guests on #TheLounge include two Ghanaians who went to Libya. They’re fortunate to be back alive to tell of their Sahara Wahala.
I also have the Country Director of the International Organization of Migration (IOM), Ms. Sylvia Lopez-Ekra. She’ll share her insights on this frightening phenomenon and tell us about the work of her organization.
