“Some 3,500 refugees have crossed into northern Togo from Ghana, Togo's security minister says.” was the first paragraph of a news story on the BBC website titled “Ghanaians flee violence for Northern Togo” published at 11.26 GMT on Tuesday, the 25th of May, 2010.
After reading the full story I was petrified. The story came as a surprise to many Ghanaians. What got many most incensed was the label “REFUGEE”. In my lay mans understanding, I have known this word to be used on people mostly in war countries. So, I asked myself, is there war in my country?
We are all in the know of protracted conflicts in the northern part of Ghana, but little did I know those conflicts could be left to deteriorate to the extent that, our fellow compatriots would be referred to as “REFUGEES” in a different country.
Before I proceed any further, it must be noted, that the provision of law and order is one of the oldest functions of a government.
The refugees were resident of Bunkpurugu- Yunyoo District. The District has been bedevilled with chieftaincy and land conflicts involving communities. The conflict has claimed lives, properties and has displaced many. The most affected in this conflict situation were women, children and the aged.
The Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District does not have a substantive Chief Executive to effectively manage the security situation. The former chief executive was dismissed following agitations by members of the NDC. Many would have expected that due to the volatility of the conflict situation in the District, a replacement would be swift. Currently, the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Sam Nasamu is acting as the chief executive.
On the 9th of May, 2010, 2500 pieces of cartridges were intercepted by the Northern Regional Police command. The cartridges were being imported into the district to fuel the already volatile conflict in the District. This news caused so much fear in District.
Only a day (10th May, 2010) after this news broke, the police at the District withdrew their services. The reason for their withdrawal was because of FOOD. It was worrying to know that the lives and properties of the tax payers resident in that District could no more be protected because of food. When the news of police withdrawal was reported, many expected government would quickly respond by providing just food to these police men so that life and property would be protected, strangely, that was not the case.
The withdrawal of police service in the District greatly influenced the mass movement of people out of the District. The presence of the security in the District gave residents some assurance of safety. To think that the police had to withdraw their service because of food is most regrettable and shows how reckless government has treated those tax payers.
While our relatives are living under dehumanizing circumstances, government seems to be more interested in challenging the BBC over the numbers they put out. I find that most unnecessary.
However, I am inclined to believe the number provided by the UNHCR. Awurabena Hutchful, the Assistant Public Information Officer, for the UNHCR office in Ghana, stated that as at 17th May, 2010, the number of Ghanaian refugees in Togo was 3,247,000. She said this number was arrived at after a HEAD COUNT. The operative word is head count. Government seems to be giving different figures at different times.
The second reason I am convinced to believe the UNHCR figure is because a GNA news report on the 20th of May, 2010 stated “The conflict involved six communities where some 368 houses were completely burnt, with 4,048 displaced persons while two lives were lost in the latest conflict, which occurred last April. The initial conflict was between Bufuok and Tobong communities over the rehabilitation of a grinding mill and later spread to the other four communities, namely Gbankoni, Kambatiak, Gbadauk and Nasiabuak and brought untold hardships to the residents, 3,000 of who are now seeking asylum in neighboring Togo.” This was a report of a state news agency. Clearly this report makes it comfortable for any serious minded person to stick to the over 3000 figure. What baffles my mind is, what action was taken after GNA reported this.
It is refreshing to hear government is all of the sudden working to make sure the right thing is done. According to the Deputy Information Minister, Hon. Okudjeto Ablakwa, the President was aware of this situation some months back. This disclosure raises questions in the mind of many. What did our President do about the situation since the 25 April, 2010 when he got to know?
It took a news report in the international media for government to be frantically working to relocate our relatives back home.
It would have been appropriate for our humble President to take a trip to Togo and see first hand the condition our relatives are living under. However, the president rather received a delegation from Togo. The host of our refugees had to make the trip to the castle to solve this matter. I don’t think that was proper. The Togo government took up a responsibility our government failed to deliver. They provided shelter, food and security for our relatives. It was only proper our government showed appreciation and respect by going to their country to resolve this matter not the other way round.
In conclusion, government has been very reckless in the handling of this matter. The situation our relatives found themselves could have been averted if government had been more responsible. Currently the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Sam Nasamu is acting as DCE for the District. Because of other responsibilities he has, he is not able to manage the District well. The president must as a matter of urgency appoint someone to take charge.
The only hope the residents had was the presence of police. The withdrawal of police service due to the inability of government to provide them food was another worrying factor that led to this unfortunate situation.
It is my fervent hope that, after relocating our relatives back home, government would ensure that law and order is maintained in that District.
Faisal Ibrahim
Mobile_faisal@hotmail.com
FACEBOOK: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FAISAL.IBRAHIM1
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