Over 21,000 refugees in Ghana

Ghana is currently home to 21,088 refugees from sub-Sahara Africa as at August, the Minister of the Interior, Mr Mark Owen Woyongo has disclosed.

He said refugees from La Cote d’Ivoire were in the majority, aside those from Liberia and Togo.

The Interior Minister announced this when he addressed journalists at the Meet-the-Press series in Accra.

“The refugees are made up of 11,262 Ivorians, 5,262 Liberians, Togolese account for 3,212 of the refugees and 1,352 people from other countries,” he said.

He said the local integration process for 2,000 refugees had been completed, adding that legal documentation for Liberians who opted to be integrated locally was currently ongoing.

Mr Woyongo said the government had set up camps across the country to house refugees of various nationalities.

The Ampain Camp in the Western Region hosts Ivorian refugees whiles the Krisan Camp, also in the Western Region is a home to refugees from different countries.

Other camps include the Egyeikrom Camp in the Central Region and the Fetentaa Camp in the Brong-Ahafo Region, which houses Ivorian refugees whiles the Buduburam Camp in the Central Region takes care of Liberian refugees.

The National Peace Council, the Minister said had established councils in nine regions to play their advocacy roles to help curb conflicts and disturbances.

He said the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council was yet to be established, however, conflict issues in the capital were handled by its headquarters.

“The NPC has launched a national electronic conflict map on the internet which outlines the flashpoints in Ghana. The map also shows antecedents of the conflicts, hot spots or flashpoints as well as efforts that have been made to resolve them,” he said.

Mr Woyongo said the government had increased the number of fire tenders and other equipment for the Ghana National Fire Service to enhance its operations while 638 personnel have undergone training to build their capacity.

On narcotics, he said a total of 760 kilogrammes of illicit drugs were seized by mid-year and persons arrested were being prosecuted.

Mr Woyongo urged Ghanaians to exhibit tolerance and respect for each other to promote peace and unity, adding that “we need more of such respect for the rule of law”.