Ghanaian Travelers Share Their Accra to London Road Trip Challenges, Highlighting Mauritanian Border Ordeal.
A group of Ghanaian adventurers, fresh from a remarkable 10,000-kilometer road trip from Accra to London, have candidly discussed the obstacles they encountered during their remarkable journey. The travelers recounted their experiences in an interview on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo, shedding light on the diverse terrains, road conditions, and border complications they faced on their ambitious expedition. They revealed that while they could only manage slower speeds due to poor roads in their home country, they were able to cover up to 1,000 kilometers per day in areas with better road infrastructure.
Teddy Peprah, one of the team members, divulged that the most demanding phase of their adventure emerged at the Mauritanian border. Allegedly, they were ensnared in a web of extortion and detainment, purportedly stemming from suspected border violations and the presence of tinted windows in their vehicles.
Teddy Peprah elaborated on their experiences: “We journeyed from Cote d’Ivoire, crossed into Mali, and eventually reached Senegal. After a two-day rest in Senegal, we undertook vehicle maintenance before setting off for Mauritania. Frankly speaking, Chairman General, though we hesitated to share this on your program, the reception we received was far from friendly; it bordered on inhumanity. We faced abuse and extortion at the hands of the border officials.”
Teddy Peprah elaborated on their experiences: “We journeyed from Cote d’Ivoire, crossed into Mali, and eventually reached Senegal. After a two-day rest in Senegal, we undertook vehicle maintenance before setting off for Mauritania. Frankly speaking, Chairman General, though we hesitated to share this on your program, the reception we received was far from friendly; it bordered on inhumanity. We faced abuse and extortion at the hands of the border officials.”
He continued, “The stories surrounding that particular border, the Rosso border, are numerous. The situation escalated to the extreme; we spent around nine hours there, with three hours initially at the border and an additional six hours in detention. The authorities claimed that the first two cars to enter had tinted windows. We complied and removed the tint, paying a fine of approximately seventy Euros. However, after payment, they proceeded to detain our vehicles for an additional forty-eight hours. It was from that point that we proceeded to Morocco.”
Teddy Peprah went on to reveal how former Ghanaian football star Abedi Pele played a crucial role in their journey from Morocco to Spain. “Our journey has been nothing short of fascinating. Despite encountering challenges at certain borders where immigration fees and unexpected charges were demanded, people have been largely receptive to our journey. A notable instance occurred when we arrived in Rabat, en route to Tangier, where a police rider approached us. Upon learning we were from Ghana, he asked about Abedi Pele. His excitement prompted him to lead us down the highway, using his siren, purely because of the name Abedi Pele. Throughout our journey, whenever we mentioned names like Abedi Pele, Michael Essien, and Asamoah Gyan, we received exceptional treatment.”