Report by Edward FRIMPONG
The Government of Ghana has announced its commitment to accommodate Burkinabe nationals who have been displaced into the Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana due to the prevailing security situation in Southern Burkina Faso.
As Government remains well poised to collaborate with the Ghana Refugee Board and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCB), Government has accordingly established a temporary reception center in the Upper East Region, to hold an estimated Two Thousand, One Hundred (2,100) displaced people from Burkina Faso. As part of Government measures to enhance containment efforts, a 30-acre land has been acquired for the establishment of housing facilities to host Five Hundred and Thirty (530) displaced Burkinabes.
While displaced persons are being accommodated at the reception center. Ghanaian entities have ensured that displaced persons are allowed to have access to free food and medical care.
The government said contrary to claims that displaced Burkinabes are being forced out of Ghana, a repatriation process has been instituted at the reception centre to facilitate the movement of Burkinabes who wish to return to their country. According to the Government, the repatriation process is consistent with international protocols on the management of refugees which so far has been implemented in collaboration with Burkinabes Immigration Authorities along the Ghana Burkina Faso border.
While reaffirming the determination to safeguard the peace, stability and territorial integrity of the country to promote the welfare of the citizens of the country. The Government of Ghana would continue to undertake the necessary operations without compromising values, such as respect for human rights including the rights of refugees and displaced persons from neighboring countries.
