Check background of refugees - Board charged
The Minister of Interior, Mr Mark Woyongo, has advised the Ghana Refugee Board to ensure that all refugees are thoroughly verified before they are received into the country.
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He said considering the current security threats posed by the actions of terrorists in the sub-region, security intervention measures should be strictly adhered to, in order to ensure maximum security for the citizenry.
Interacting with members of the board during his familiarisation tour of agencies under the ministry in Accra last Wednesday, Mr Woyongo said Ghana seemed to have become a safe haven for refugees and, therefore, non-refugees could capitalise on that to enter as refugees, while on different agenda.
The tour was to enable the newly appointed minister to familiarise himself with the departments and agencies under the ministry, as well as know their challenges and achievements to help map out strategies to improve their operations.
Mr Woyongo said the country would continue to support refugees and ensure their well-being but priority would be given to the security of the citizenry.
Obey the law
Mr Woyongo also called on the board to educate refugees in Ghana on the law and the need to be law abiding.
He said in times past, there had been reports of refugees flouting the law with impunity.
Mr Woyongo said sanctions such as deportation to home countries should be applied to recalcitrant refugees to deter others from flouting the Law.
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“The conducts of some refugees such as selling of lands of which they claim ownership as well as other criminal acts are simply unacceptable,” he said.
The minister commended the board for relentlessly facilitating the well-being of refugees despite the limited resources available to them.
Office accommodation
In his remark, the Chairman of the Ghana Refugee Board, Mr Kenneth Dzirasah, called on the minister to facilitate the acquisition of a permanent office for the board.
He said a substantial amount of their limited financial resource was used to pay the rent for the current office.
He also expressed worry over the insufficient government subventions and the delay in the disbursement of budgetary allocation to the board for its operations.
“GH¢1,250,000 was allocated to the board in the 2014 budget, but up till now nothing has been paid,” he said.
Mr Dzirasah said that situation and other challenges facing the board were affecting its operations.
He expressed the board’s gratitude to Mr Woyongo for the visit and the willingness he had shown to help resolve their challenges.
Writer’s email: doreen.andoh@graphic.com.gh