Asylum Seeker Status

Asylum Seeker Status is a temporary legal designation for individuals who have formally applied for refugee recognition in Ghana but are still awaiting a final determination from the Ghana Refugee Board (GRB). Under the Refugee Law, 1992, applicants are protected from being penalized or treated as prohibited immigrants solely due to illegal entry or presence while their application is being processed. During this interim period, the GRB issues an attestation document, which serves as official proof of their status and ongoing claim for protection within the Ghanaian legal system.

This status is for individuals who have entered Ghana and are actively pursuing the formal asylum application process. The attestation document is a critical instrument that allows asylum seekers to remain lawfully in the country while their case is investigated. It facilitates access to basic services and helps ensure that the individual is not subject to detention or deportation while the government assesses their qualification for full refugee status. The process is managed by the GRB, often in collaboration with the UNHCR, to ensure that the rights of those seeking safety are upheld throughout the adjudication period.