Togolese refugees seek asylum in Ghana

Ho, May 9, GNA - Togolese refugees who were entering Ghana in droves in the wake of the violence following the Presidential Election in that country are now coming in trickles.

The Ghana Immigration Service had registered a total of 12,933 refugees from Togo, Mr Robert Quartey, Volta Regional Commander of the Service, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview. He gave the breakdown as 10,543 at Aflao; 237,300 at Menuso in the Kadjebi District, eight at Nyive and nine in Ho.

He said the influx was a temporary phenomenon, which did not warrant any panic over food shortage or internal security. Mr Quartey said the refugees, mostly children and women, who were either traders or farmers. He said some them crossed over to Togo in the daytime to do business or farm but returned at night for fear of alleged harassment in their country.

Mr Quartey said though the human traffic from Togo has reduced, his outfit was documenting everybody including those who claimed they were only visiting relations in Ghana.

He gave the assurance that the situation was under control and that there was no justification for raising any false alarms. Among those registered were eight Catholic Sisters, who are being hosted by the Sacred Heart Parish in Ho. 09 May 05