The publisher of the Ghana Drum, a monthly Ghanaian news magazine based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, provided the following information on the above-mentioned subject (22 Sept. 1994). The Michel Camp detention centre is not public knowledge, but it is located at Michel Camp, a military base situated between Tema and Accra. The number of prisoners in detention varied over time. The prisoners in this installation were government critics or political opponents who could be released only at the government's discretion.

Contrary to the Ghanaian government's claim that it has not held political prisoners since 1992, the publisher maintained that some opponents of the government are still being held at this installation.

The Achimota forest annex detention centre is also not public knowledge, but it is located in the Achimota forest between Accra and Legon, an Accra suburb. A security check-point, at an unpaved road off the Tema Motorway extension leading into the Achimota forest, marks the centre's location. Armed guards man the check-point. This detention centre held the same types of prisoners as the Michel Camp detention centre.

A journalist with the London-based New African and former editor of the Kumasi-based daily, Pioneer, who was detained by the Ghanaian government on 23 February 1985 and held for two days at the Gondar Barracks detention centre in Accra, corroborated the above information (22 Sept. 1994). Regarding the detention of political prisoners in these centres, he speculated that some people may still be held in these prisons because the government has forgotten about them.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Journalist, New African, London. 22 September 1994. Telephone interview.

Publisher, Ghana Drum, Gaithersburg, Maryland. 22 September 1994. Telephone interview.