TRIPARTITE C'TEE TO HANDLE REFUGEES' CASE

By Stephen K Effah
Saturday, 29 March 2008

A Tripartite Committee, made up of representatives of the Ghanaian and Liberian governments and the UNHCR, has been formed to monitor and handle the situation of Liberian refugees in Ghana, and oversee their eventual repatriation home.

This follows consultations in Accra between the two governments and the UNHCR as a result of the recent protests by the refugees at the Buduburam settlement over their repatriation package.

Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister of the Interior, led Ghana’s team for the talks, while Mrs Olubanke King-Akerele, Liberia’s Foreign Minister, led that country’s delegation.

A joint statement signed by Nana Obiri Boahene, Minister of State at the Interior Ministry , and Mrs King-Akerele, said the refugees will be dispersed for better management and monitoring in consonance with the mandate of the tripartite committee.

It said those refugees currently at the Kordiabe camp should be returned to the Buduburam settlement and subjected to good behaviour and respect for Ghana laws.

The statement said that those refugees who registered to return voluntarily under the UNHCR Voluntary Repatriation Programme prior to the crisis, would be encouraged to do so.

It acknowledged the concrete steps achieved so far following deliberations between the representatives of the two governments, citing the termination of the month-long protest by the women in the camp.

Other achievements, the statement mentioned, include a decision by the UNHCR to resume its voluntary repatriation pro-gramme and normal humanitarian assistance to the refugees at the settlement.

It said there is also "recognition and acceptance by the Liberian refugees that repatriation back to Liberia is the only viable option."

Mrs King-Akerele was grateful to the Ghana government for its cooperation, "We appreciate that we had concrete achievements," she said, adding that the Liberian government is happy that the UNHCR has decided to resume its voluntary repatriation.

She apologised to the Ghana government for the embarrassment the protests have caused the country, saying "they expressed regrets when we met with them."

She expressed her government’s readiness to assist the committee in its work.

Nana Boahene assured the Liberian delegation that Ghanaians will live with the refugees in harmony.