UN refugees boss calls on Interior Minister

Mr Ruud Lubbers, the United Nations HighCommissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), on Tuesday called on the Minister for the Interior, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman to discuss the refugee situation in the country.

Mr Lubbers, who is on a two-day official visit at the head of a six-member delegation, would also visit the Buduburam Refugee Camp in the Central Region and pay a courtesy call on ECOWAS Chairman, President John Agyekum Kufuor.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman said Ghana had been trying its best to make life meaningful for refugees. However, with its own current economic situation, the increasing demands of the refugees could no more be met.

He said the upkeep of refugees had been at a great cost to the country's economy, adding that Ghana had often played a leading role in accepting and sustaining refugees from other sister countries in the Sub-Region. But these refugees often refuse to return home after situations had stabilised in their countries.

The Minister said Ghana was currently hosting about 60,000 refugees, including Ivorians and Liberians.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman urged the UN to ensure that all refugees were treated equally, no matter their origin, saying most often refugees from other continents were given better treatment than those in Africa.

The Minister said Ghana, with its current position as chair of ECOWAS would ensure that democracy and good governance strived in West Africa to prevent conflicts.

"This is why Ghana is ensuring that our democratic dispensation is not disturbed," he said.

Mr Lubbers said the UN had been facing enormous challenges with refugee situations worldwide.

He expressed the UN's appreciation to Ghana for its effort of single-handedly making things better for refugees in the Sub-Region, even after the withdrawal of UN aid and other assistance.

Mr Lubbers said it was a shame that a lot of attention had been focused on Iraqi refugees and others from western countries over the years.

He gave the assurance that the message of the Minister would be conveyed to UN authorities for swift action.