Sunyani Catholic Bishop assures Church’s continuous support for refugees

The Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Catholic Bishop of Sunyani has assured the Catholic Church continuous support to the Fetentaa refugee camp to make life worth living for members.

Most Rev. Gyamfi gave the assurance at the inauguration and handing over of a Police and nurses accommodation and a canteen complex for School Feeding Programme (SFP) at the camp, Fetentaa in the Berekum West District of Brong-Ahafo Region.

The project was initiated by the National Catholic Secretariat (NCS) and funded by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) at a total cost of GH¢270, 000.00.

It comprised of eight separate one-bedroom flats, four each for Police personnel and Nurses at the Police Station and the Clinic at the camp respectively.

Each flat consist of a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom and a toilet, in addition to a bedroom.

Bishop Gyamfi maintained the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani and the NCS would persist in their collaborative efforts to give the Camp a facelift for the Ivorian refugees to feel at home.

He expressed appreciation to the UNHCR, the National Refugee Board (NRB) and the traditional authority of Fetentaa for their remarkable contributions and assistance in diverse ways towards the socio-economic progress of the refugees.

Most Rev. Gyamfi observed certain prevailing social factors rendered some of the refugees still vulnerable and consequently making it extremely difficult for them to return to La Cote d’Ivoire voluntarily.

He therefore appealed to the UNHCR, the NRB, benevolent organisations, philanthropic groups, individuals, religious bodies and corporate entities to support the refugees in various ways to create and maintain joy and satisfaction among them.

Mr Arjun Shrestha, Head of Field Office for the UNHCR’s FOTak, hailed the Ghana Police Service for their immense contribution towards the maintenance of peace and order, not only within the Camp, but also in the neighbouring communities.

Mr. Shrestha also commended the staff of the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service at the camp for their commitment and provision of dedicated services for the benefit of the refugees.

Nana Nti Yeboah II, the Chief of Fetentaa appealed to government to establish a tomato factory within the area to serve as a source of employment for the refugees and the natives living in villages around the camp.

Mr. Teoulou Alex Herve, the Camp President, thanked the UNHCR, the NRB, NCS and the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani for their immense support and pleaded that a library complex and a Radio Station be set up at the camp to promote quality education.