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Liberia: Liberian Refugees deported from Ghana amid diplomatic negotiation
Mar 24, 2008
by Michael Kpayili / Staff Writer

Despite numerous Diplomatic efforts by the Liberian Government over the intervention of unwarranted tension between the Liberian Refugees in Ghana and the Ghanaian Government, sixteen (16) Liberian Refugees have finally faced deportation.

Over eight men high power Liberian delegations divided into two phases are currently undergoing mediation in Ghana in a bid of calming the alleged ransacking of Liberian Refugees in Ghana. The first four persons headed by the Deputy Director of the Liberian Refugees Repatriation Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), Saah Nyumah are currently in Ghana to ascertain the actuality of the story surrounding the Liberian Refugees in Ghana. The second batch of Liberian delegation is headed by Liberia’s Foreign Minister Olubankie Akurelee and comprises the Ministers of Justice, Internal Affairs and Information who are expected to depart the Country for Ghana to further beef up the negotiation.

Liberian Leader Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called for calm among the Liberian refugee community in Ghana as her Government continues to engage in frantic Diplomatic efforts in resolving the situation.

According to a dispatch from Ghana, a little over thirty(30) Liberian residing in Ghana without define legal status are expected to face deportation due to their alleged involvement in provoking breach of security orders.

The news of a growing tension and maltreatment among the Liberian Refugee community in Ghana have created sour attitude among Liberians back home with many expressing disappointment over the constant habits of the Ghanaian Government in deporting Liberians illegally. The embattle President of the Civil Service Association of Liberia; Mr. Jefferson Elliot has called for an immediate investigation into the inhumane treatment of Liberian Refugees in Ghana. He said while Ghanaians are enjoying all privileges in Liberia including employment opportunities, Liberians in Ghana have been reduced to improper treatment which stands to contravene the Geneva treaties on the rights of Refugees.

The President for the establishment of a War Crime Court in Liberia, Mr. Mulbah Morlu has sharply reacted to news of inhumane treatment of Liberian Refugees in Ghana. He said as Africans, especially taking ECOWAS treaties into consideration, it is in the wrong direction for such abrupt decision by the Ghanaian Government to take such hasty decision.

The Director of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, Cllr. Augustine Toe has asked Liberians to stop sensationalizing the existing problem at the refugee camp in Ghana. He said while he stands against the use of excessive force carried on in the refugee crisis, the demands forwarded by the Refugee community in Ghana were unnecessary. He said as refugee, one decision to demonstrate must be in confinement with the laws of the host country and anything on the contrary needs judiciary involvement.

Ordinary citizens back home in Liberia are worried about the cross-over effect of the alleged inhumane treatment meted against Liberian Refugees in Ghana and the consequences it may cause the good relationship between Liberia and Ghana.

It can be recalled that as the result of the participation of Ghana in the deployment of the first contingent of ECOMOG, the cross-over effect led to the death of innocent Ghanaian residing within the territory of former Rebel Leader Charles Taylor. The revelation was made during one of the testimonies at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The best decision both Liberians and Ghanaians residing in Liberia are yearning for is an amicable resolution to the ongoing conflict and strategies in avoiding split-over effect to ordinary citizens enjoying the cordial relationship between the two sisterly nations of Liberia and Ghana.

About the Author:
Michael Kpayili is a staff writer for TheLiberianTimes.com. Kpayili has written articles which have appeared on TheLiberianTimes.com since late 2005, and his hard hitting investigative journalism has earned the respect of the Liberian press community.

Michael Kpayili may be contacted at mkpayili@theliberiantimes.com.