By Francis Ameyibor/Grace Princess Tarwo, GNA
Buduburam (C/R), Dec. 5, GNA – The Association of Liberians Community in Ghana (ALICO) on Wednesday appealed to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Ghana Refugee Board (GRB) to fulfil promises made under the Durable Solution in 2012.
The Durable Solutions for refugees covers: voluntary repatriation to the country of origin in safety and dignity, resettlement to a third country; and local integration in the country of asylum.
Mr Eddie Devine Hennings, ALICO Chairman in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Buduburam Camp said under the Durable Solution those who offered to be integrated were among other packages to be given passports, places of residence, and provision of schools for their children, which had not been fully fulfilled.
He said the process for those who opted for integration into the Ghanaian community, had encountered series of problems and the process till date had not been completed.
But Ms Patience Folley, UNHCR Public Information Officer in reaction told the GNA that following the fundamental and durable changes that took place in Liberia, a cessation of refugee status was revoked on June 30, 2012, under which the Durable Solution was offered.
She explained that the cessation of refugee status was determined by competent authorities in Ghana, namely the Ghana Refugee Board and the Minister for the Interior, with the support of UNHCR, adding that, the cessation clauses set out the conditions in which refugee status properly and legitimately granted, came to an end.
Ms Folley said « With the cessation of their refugee status in 2012, UNHCR does not consider as persons of concern or in need of international protection the former Liberian refugees who did not opt for either a voluntary repatriation to their country of origin or local integration in Ghana ».
Mr Hennings explained that most people opted for the integration based on the promises made to them during an orientation on the Durable Solution, which convinced a lot to opt for the local integration.
« Promises made were not fully fulfilled, therefore to most of us still in Ghana, the Durable Solution has not been fully implemented by UNHCR, GRB in conjunction with the Ministry of the Interior of Ghana, » he said.
Mr Hennings who is also a Pastor at the Camp alleged that the grant given to those who opted for integration was not enough to enable them get decent residence outside the Buduburam Camp and « not to talk of paying bills, and worse off some refugees have up-to-date not received the grant.
« You cannot give a fraction of a whole and then you say that, ‘live on the fraction of a whole’ that is not possible ».
The UNHCR had also cut down some services that were offered to the Refugees before the Durable Solution Exercise was introduced to the Buduburam Liberian Refugees, the ALICO Chairman stated.
Mr Hennings expressed concern that most people who were traumatized due to what they went through during the war and its immediate aftermath cannot go back even now that there is relative peace and normalcy in Liberia.
« In spite of the democratic development back home, some are still traumatized and scared of going back home, now their hope of living decent lives in their second adopted country has also been shattered with the turnout of events and that has affected their standard of living, » he said.
Mr Hennings said Liberians have been supporting each other at the Refugee Camp even though the UNHCR provided protection, food and support initially.
« We are now renewing our plea for resettlement by the UNHCR and the GRB to end the issue of Durable Solution fairly, so that the lives of Liberians would be better generally, » he said.
However Ms Folley, said the end of the refugee status consequently means former Liberian refugees residing in Ghana are no longer under the umbrella of UNHCR, and do not qualify any more for durable solutions.
Ms Folley explained that those who volunteered for repatriation were all assisted to go back, « whilst 4,000 others who opted for local integration 3,669 were fully paid cash grant.
« A small fraction however failed to avail themselves to the window of opportunity offered from June 2012 until the whole procedure was completed in 2016. The excess funds, which were the result of ‘No Show,’ had been retired to UNHCR Head office ».
Ms Folley said the issue of those who offered for settlement was mainly based on the home country, « UNHCR presented the case to the Ghanaian Authorities, which assessed each case on its merits ».
On the issuance of passport to the refugees who offered for local integration, Ms Folley explained that during the process, the UNHCR worked together with the Liberian Authorities who were invited into Ghana, to collect data from individuals and the data was sent back to Liberia for processing and issuance of the passports.
She said the Liberian Authorities after processing would issue the passport through the UNHCR Office, which would again work with the Ghana Immigration Service for the issue of Resident Permit to the holder.
Mr Hennings « all that have not been provided aside the grant that was given to few people and passports, » adding that, « the passport given to them had illegal residence permit embossed, creating problems for those who have it and attempt to use it for any activity ».
He also alleged that the grant given to those who opted for integration was not enough to enable them get decent residence outside the Buduburam Camp and « not to talk of paying bills, worse off some refugees have up-to-date not received the grant.
« You cannot give a fraction of a whole and then you say that, ‘live on the fraction of a whole’ that is not possible ».
Mr Michael Gibson a Liberian Refugee at the Buduburam camp also told the GNA that, « life has not been easy at all, » adding that « if you are not able to work and earn a living, you would not survive at the camp ».
He said Liberians were not enjoying the full amenities that were supposed to be allocated to them by UNHCR and appealed to the refugee agency to help resolve all outstanding issues concerning local integration.
Mr Wilman B. Washington another resident and a teacher, also pleaded that the Liberian Refugees be treated fairly, stressing that « the current situation at the camp, that is the total neglect has worsen our plight and as a result some of the youth are indulging in social vices ».
It would be recalled that following the conflict in Liberia between 1989 and 2003, some 40,000 Liberian refugees found safety and hospitality in Ghana.
UNHCR provided the necessary support to them and other refugees.
GNA
FA/DSA
