We see them every day. We pass by them either in our comfortable rides or inside the rough trotro. The young and old. Under the scorching sun and annoying traffic in the capital city Accra, they sit and wait. Some get closer to ask for a cedi or coin for food. The young and innocent ones pull you by your hand at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, refusing to let go unless you spare a cedi or coin.
Most of them do not speak English or the local Ghanaian language (Twi) but the ones who have stayed here for long have managed to learn the local language and also speak Hausa fluently. This enables them communicate well with our Muslim friends who speak Hausa. Who are they? They are the refugees. The victims of war.
Who is a refugee?
Refugees, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, The UN Refugee Agency Africa, “are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country. They often have had to flee with little more than the clothes on their back, leaving behind homes, possessions, jobs and loved ones”.
The Ghana Refugee Board performs its function of coordinating activities related to management and care of refugees in Ghana. The board performs these functions and many others as outlined in the Ghana Refugee Law 1992 (PNDCL 305D) section 5, which reads:
- Receive and consider applications for refugee status;
- Recognise any person or group of persons as refugees for the purpose of this law;
- Register and keep a register of persons recognised as refugees under this law;
- Seek cooperation with non-governmental organisations on matters relating to refugees;
And many more.
Interestingly, I keep asking myself these questions: How many refugees are at the refugee camp? How many refugee camps are here in Ghana? Why are some refugees on the streets of Accra begging for food and money?
According to Ms. Esther Kiragu, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Ghana, there over 10,000 refugees in Ghana.
Most Refugees in Ghana are from neighbouring countries like Sudan, Liberia, Togo, Côte d’lvoire, Cameroun, among others. Most Refugees in Ghana are the Peul or Fulbe, popularly known as Fulani.
According to Ghana Refugee Board, there are currently three Ivorian camps: Ampain and Egyeikrom in the Western Region, Fetentaa in the Bono Region and one mixed population camp at Krisan in the Western Region.
Not all refugees like or want to beg for money but conflict, war, violence, among others have made them strangers in another man’s land. The Ghana Refugee Board is doing its best; but what can we do as individuals to help them? The next time that child runs to you under the scorching Accra sun, I believe this time, you will extend a helping hand.
>>>the writer is a student of journalism at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ). Email [email protected]
