Archbishop Condemns Death Of Deported Ghanaian

A terminally ill Ghanaian woman who was deported from the UK has died.

Ama Sumani, 39, was removed from a hospital in Cardiff in January, after her visa expired.

Border and immigration officials argued at the time of her deportation that unavailability of treatment in her native country was not grounds to remain in the UK.

Mrs Sumani was receiving dialysis three times a week in the UK after her kidneys were damaged by cancer.

The Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan said Mrs Sumani's death is on the nation's conscience.

"I believe her death is on the conscience of this nation because we deported her when it was against every humanitarian instinct to do so.

"It is never appropriate for a civilised, wealthy society to a turn, literally, a sick woman out of her bed and put her on a plane to a very worrying future.

"What sort of moral example does that send to the rest of the world?" he said.

Her death in Accra came just hours after she had been told doctors in the UK and South Africa had been found to treat her.

It is reported that more than £70,000 had been raised towards drugs that were not available in her country.

Lin Homer, Chief Executive of the Border and Immigration Agency, said: "This is a sad case, and all of us feel sympathy for her family at this time.

"The circumstances surrounding this case were not unique though.

"The case was carefully considered by both trained caseworkers and also through the independent judicial process, which is better and fairer than a decision by me as Chief Executive or by the Minister."

Friends of Mrs Sumani has promised to used the funds raised to educate her two children.

(DS)