Police Swoop On Refugees

By Stephen K.Effah, Buduburam
Tuesday, 18 March 2008

Armed police personnel at dawn yesterday rounded up hundreds of protesting Liberian refugees at their Buduburam set-tlement in the Central Region for demonstrating without a permit in breach of the Public Order Act.

The Public Order Act enjoins groups or individuals who intend to hold a public event to inform the police five days before the event stating the venue and time among other requirements.
The arrest, according to the Interior Ministry, followed their persistent refusal to respect the laws of the country.

The arrested protesters, mostly women and children, have since been taken to the Youth Leadership Training Centre at Kordiable, near Afienya, for screening.

A statement issued by the ministry after their arrest, said those arrested would have their refugee status revoked after they have been screened, adding that "government intends to return all those arrested to Liberia since the war there is over".

The refugees have since February 19, embarked on what they termed "peaceful protest" against the 100 and 50 dollar repatriation package given adults and children below 18 years, respectively, under the UNHCR voluntary repatriation programme.

They are reportedly demanding to be resettled in a western country. The government has denied any intention to integrate them in Ghana.

They have since the beginning of their agitation, been sleeping on a football field in front of the UNHCR repatriation office near the settlement.

Speaking to the Times, the spokesperson of the protestors, Cecilia Garlo, said armed police arrived and surrounded them while they were having their morning service.

Ms Garlo said the leader of the police team walked up to her, and said "you have violated the laws of Ghana. I have come to take you away."

She said, surprised by what the police officer told her, she explained that they were only having a peaceful protest but he ordered the women to board the police trucks. They were driven away in 10 trucks but Ms Garlo said she could not tell how many they were.

When she asked where they were being taken to, the officer replied: "They are being taken to where violators of the law are taken ."

She was prevented from boarding the trucks and was told, "You are the leader so we are bringing a special car to take you away."

One of the women, Deborah B. Solo, weeping, told the Times that her three children, all below the age of 15 and her sister were among those taken away and she did not know what would happen to them.

When the Times got to the settlement at about 8.15 a.m. yesterday, armed police numbering about 400 in anti-riot vans had taken position at vantage points.

Hundreds of the other refugees left their homes at the settlement and assembled at the football field, apparently, to show solidarity with the arrested protesters.

The police team leader who declined to give his name said the police went there to "ensure law and order."

The refugees did not seek permission before going on with their protest which contravenes the Public Order Act, he said and added: "Ghanaian laws don’t allow a group or any individuals to congregate and put themselves or children under harsh conditions," he said.

Interior Minister, Kwamena Bartels, last Tuesday met with the leadership of the refugees to explain to them the illegality of their protest, and warned them to end it, otherwise, the government would be forced to take a decisive action against them.