By Giuseppe De Santis
A few days ago, a story surfaced that was so outrageous it could easily serve as material for a comedy show, but unfortunately, it is true. A Ghanaian asylum seeker has successfully won a human rights claim to remain in the UK, arguing that he is too traumatised by his experience with COVID to return to his home country.
Winfred Kwabla Dogbey, a 52-year-old Ghanaian, was diagnosed with PTSD after a severe battle with COVID-19 in 2020. His condition, described as ‘post-COVID-19 syndrome,’ was part of a rehabilitation program for those deeply affected by the outbreak.
The panel reported that psychiatric treatment in the West African country is nearly non-existent and that the available mental health care is inadequate. After learning that Mr. Dogbey could likely face a rapid and severe decline in his mental health if he returns to Ghana, he has successfully won a claim to remain in the UK.
The Upper Tier Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber heard that Mr. Dogbey arrived on a visa in the UK in April 2013. He applied for asylum in June 2016, but his request was denied. Following this, there was a prolonged process of submitting additional appeals.
The panel heard that the asylum seeker was hospitalised and required critical care after contracting COVID-19 in May 2020. Mr. Dogbey had suffered a severe episode of COVID-related pneumonia, with associated multiple organ failure.
The tribunal took into account a letter from Mr. Dogbey’s general practitioner, which outlined his diagnosis of ‘post-COVID-19 syndrome.’ It was also noted that he had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD).
The judge stated that he is allowed to stay based on Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
An estimated 13% of Ghanaians suffer from mental health conditions, which amounts to about 4 million people out of Ghana’s total population of approximately 34 million. In Nigeria, the situation is even worse, with about 30% of Nigerians affected by mental illness. This equates to around 60 million individuals from Nigeria’s estimated population of 200 million.
In theory, 64 million people from just two African countries could seek asylum in Britain, arguing that the medical treatment for depression and stress in their countries is inadequate. They would be permitted to stay under the European Convention on Human Rights.
This story highlights why Britain should leave the European Convention on Human Rights and abolish all related human rights legislation. Unfortunately, none of the three main political parties is willing to take action on this issue; only the British Democrats are committed to ending this madness.
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