[ 2016-02-11 ]

Gov't to meet with Togolese authorities over refugees
Information available indicate that the Government
of Ghana is scheduled to meet with authorities in
Togo to arrange the return of some Bunkpurugu
natives seeking refuge in Togo.

The residents have sought refuge in the
neighbouring town as a result of a conflict in
their hometown and are struggling to survive.

With the support of the Togolese government, the
residents and their families have been reduced to
living on five bowls of maize a month. This is
provided by authorities every month.

Children are unable to go to school and their
parents are unable to work and make a living to
cater for them.

The plight of the Bunkpurugu residents was
revealed by Joy News’ Seth Kwame Boateng in the
documentary titled, ‘Brother at War’.

The documentary highlighted the effects of the
conflict in Bunkpurugu which has lasted for
decades and claimed many lives.

The feuding factions are children of two brothers
– the younger one is contesting his older
brother – the current Chief of Bunkpurugu, Naa
Alhaji Abuba Nasinmong.

Both have taken entrenched positions and are
reluctant to meet each other.

The Bunkpurugu chief who doubles as the leader of
the Jafouk gate and his people are not ready to
relinquish the skin for the Jamong gate to take
over. They’d rather kill each other.

However, Project Director of the Ghana Refugees
Board, Tetteh Padi said a plan to bring the
refugees back home was delayed by elections in
Togo last year.

He hinted that the Ghana government will be
meeting with officials from Togo to draw a
roadmap.

”Ghana is more peaceful than Togo but obviously
with sporadic disturbances, these people find a
quieter place during the period that the
disturbances are taking place. It is only natural
that people will want to run away from areas where
they don’t feel safe

“Ghana government, UNHCR, the Togolese
government are in an arrangement and are
discussing modalities for returning these persons
back to Ghana,” he said.

Meanwhile, a member of the Parliamentary Select
Committee on Defence and Interior, Major Derrick
Oduro has asked government to do more to bring
lasting peace to conflict ridden Bunkpurugu.

Source - Myjoyonline

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