Ghana must provide adequate protection for the Togolese refugees - Togolese civil league

After recent reports of a foiled attack by security officers from Togo in Jasikan, a town in the Volta Region, on Togolese refugees, Togolese civil society organisation, Togolese Civil League is calling on the Ghanaian government to provide protection for its foreign hosts against arrest and intimidation by foreign security operatives especially from Togo.

In a press release addressed to the President of Ghana, & Parliament of Ghana, the civil society organisation noted that, " It is important to remind Ghanaian authorities about the duty to protect refugees under international agreements and this is not, unfortunately, the first time the Togolese government is committing a crime on Ghanaian soil".

The Togolese Civil League is also concerned about the handling of this incident by the Ghanaian authorities without a full and thorough investigation. It also added that it is odd that an allegation as serious as kidnapping, executed by foreign security forces did not get the proper due diligence required to send a clear message and reassure citizens.

The Togolese Civil League also expressed their appreciation to the residents of Jasikan for defending their Togolese hosts.

It can be recalled that, Togo has for the past years been experiencing several political unrest and the government's determination to silence any citizen that stands against all their unconstitutional plans.

Having been the only country in Africa with the longest Family & Military Dynasty of over 50 years, citizens of Togo have been demonstrating against severe oppression by the Faure Gnassingbe's government which is currently in its illegal 3rd term.

Below is the full statement as released by the Togolese Civil League

To: His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana

CC: The Parliament of Ghana

Your Excellency,

On Tuesday January 1, 2019 witness reports from Jasikan, Ghana confirmed by the news media has exposed a plot by Togo security forces to arrest some political dissidents on Ghanaian soil. The plot was foiled by the vigilant residents of Jasikan who arrested three members of the Togolese squad and handed them over to the Ghanaian authorities. Unfortunately, the alleged offenders were escorted back to Togo before any proper investigation and appropriate sanction to what appear to be a state sponsored kidnaping in a foreign country.

The Togolese Civil League strongly condemns the actions of the Togolese government who is notorious for brutalizing and killing its citizens who express political views.

The Togolese Civil League is concerned about the handling of this incident by the Ghanaian authorities without a full and thorough investigation. It is odd that an allegation as serious as kidnapping, executed by foreign security forces did not get the proper due diligence required to send a clear message and reassure citizens. It is important to remind Ghanaian authorities about the duty to protect refugees under international agreements.

This is not, unfortunately, the first time the Togolese government is committing a crime on Ghanaian soil including the murders in 1995 of former government official Felix Amegan and opposition leader Lieutenant Vincent Tokofai and in 1997 of former Togolese diplomat and dissident Ferdinand Romuard.

The Togolese Civil League is grateful to the residents of Jasikan for defending their Togolese hosts and calling for a full investigation of this incident and for the results of the investigation to be made public. Requesting that all responsible parties be held accountable and brought to justice, asking for Ghana to provide adequate protection for the Togolese refugees within its border according to the Ghanaian value of hospitality, compassion and history of upholding human rights.

The Togolese Civil League is pleading that you use your full authority and influence to ensure the welfare of Togolese who have had to flee their country due to the ongoing political crisis.