Ghana Will Not Be Used for Subversion

Monrovia, Liberia -- The Ambassador of Ghana to Liberia, Kwame Amoah Awuah says his Country will not be used as a springboard by disgruntled elements to rebel against their Country along the West Coast.

Ambassador Awuah made the statement last Monday when he clarified that news reports regarding a Ghanaian Government security operation at the Liberian refugee camp in Buduburam in that country was "exaggerated."

In spite of negatives reports about Ghana that could have negative effect, the Ghanaian envoy indicated that his country has consistently maintained a warm relationship with Liberia and other refugees.

The Ghanaian diplomat who had just returned to his mission here explained that the security operation at the Buduburam camp was not an anti-Liberian campaign.

Quizzed about what had transpired recently between government security and Liberian refugees, the Ghanaian diplomat explained that the security operation at the Buduburam camp was not an anti-Liberian campaign.

"The Ghanian Government monitored activities, and have had problems with rising rate of armed robbery activities."

He noted that his government had acted on series of information regarding armed robberies along the major highway on which the camp is situated.

Besides, he said there are people from other countries who are illegally occupying the Buduburam camp originally set up for Liberian Refugees, saying that it was discovered after the operation that more than 40,000 in stead of 26,000 person were dwelling at camp.

According to Ambassador Awuah, the soldiers and police moved on the refugee camp in light of security concerned expressed by residents of Buduburam and surrounding villages, so as to determine the magnitude of their concerns.

"This was not done outside the purview of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

The UNHCR was informed, and officials of the Commission witnessed the Ghanaian Government operations at the Buduburam Camp," Ambassador Awuah asserted.

He spelled out the necessity of the operation when he said the highway on which the Buduburam camp is located is strategic in that it connects Ghana to Ivory Coast and other places.

He pointed out that there were instances of armed robberies along the highway, although he clarified how he did not mean Liberians were responsible for the robberies.

After the security operation, the Ghanaian Ambassador said his government turned over illegal occupants of the camp to UNHCR for screening and subsequent formalization of their status, while those with criminal background were being processed through the criminal justice system of Ghana.

"The soldiers did not go there to molest anyone, neither did they do so." he added.

"In fact some of those caught at the camp were illegal business people who have lived in Ghana for the past five or more years without resident permits", he added.

He then reiterated Ghana's commitment to bilateral and multilateral ties with nations of the world, and would not therefore do anything that would affect its relationship with other countries and peoples, including Liberians.