Title: A Grueling Accra-London Road Trip: Detained in Mauritania for Nearly 9 Hours
A team of Ghanaian adventurers who recently embarked on an epic 10,000-kilometer road trip from Accra to London has shared their harrowing journey, shedding light on the various challenges faced, particularly at the Mauritanian border.
Speaking in an interview on Peace FM's Kokrokoo, the explorers recounted their ordeal, highlighting the diverse landscapes, varying road conditions, and border issues they encountered. Despite the difficulties, they managed to cover up to 1,000 kilometers a day on roads that allowed it.
One of the team members, Teddy Peprah, revealed that the most arduous part of their expedition was the encounter at the Mauritanian border. He described a series of incidents involving alleged extortion, detention, and disputes regarding tinted glass on their vehicles.
"After traversing through Cote d'Ivoire and crossing the Mali border en route to Senegal, we took a two-day rest in Senegal to service our vehicles, changing brake pads and performing other maintenance tasks. Upon reaching Mauritania, we were confronted with an unpleasant situation. Regrettably, I must admit that the treatment we received there was far from hospitable. In fact, it was downright inhumane. We were subjected to abuse and extortion," Peprah recounted.
He went on to detail the events at the Rosso border, where they were held for nearly nine hours, initially spending three hours at the border before being detained for an additional six hours. The ordeal involved issues with tinted glass, leading to a fine of approximately seventy Euros. Following the payment, they were still held for an extra forty-eight hours.
Peprah shared that their journey continued from there, ultimately reaching Morocco. He also spoke of the assistance they received from Abedi Pele, a former Ghanaian international and three-time African Footballer of the Year. Abedi Pele's name garnered them favorable treatment in some places, even leading to a police escort on the highway in Morocco.
"While our journey has been intriguing, there were instances where we had to pay immigration fees and other unexpected expenses. However, the recognition of names like Abedi Pele, Michael Essien, and Asamoah Gyan ensured we received the best treatment possible. For instance, when we mentioned Abedi Pele's name to a police rider in Rabat, Morocco, he not only recognized us but also escorted us through the highway," Peprah concluded.