The daughter of former Asunafo South MP George Boakye has apologised to her father, family and Ghanaians for overstaying her visa for more than three years.
Joyce Boakye, the 37-year-old said she did not get in touch with her father while in the UK because she did not want to be under pressure to return home, and so had to put up with her boyfriend in that country.
“I went with my Father and I told him I was leaving for town but I never returned. That is how I ended up overstaying my visit to the UK. I met my boyfriend in town and subsequently stayed with him. I switched off my phone and removed the chip so that when my dad attempts to reach me on phone he’ll be unsuccessful. That is why I didn’t return to Ghana with my Father,” she told Citi FM.
“I don’t call my father and I don’t know how come he finally got my number, but I’ve been calling my mum though. There is no network where my mother lives so she has to leave her house before we can talk. As for my Dad, he doesn’t have my contact at all, so I’m wondering how he got my number to tell me to come home. I’d planned to return to Ghana with my boyfriend at his convenience.”
She added: “I’m pleading with my Father and Ghanaians to forgive me.”
Three MPs, together with a former lawmaker, were cited in separate alleged visa offences by the UK government and a 10-year visa ban placed on them.
They include: Richard Acheampong, MP for Bia East in the Western Region; Joseph Benhazin Dahah, MP for Asutifi North (Ntotroso) in the Brong Ahafo Region; Johnson Kwaku Adu, MP for Ahafo Ano South in the Ashanti Region; and George Boakye, former MP for Asunafo South in the Brong Ahafo Region.