Government Warns Demonstrating Liberian Refugees

The government of Ghana on Friday expressed concern about on-going demonstrations organised by some Liberian refugees at Buduburam and said they should not overstretch the goodwill and protection the government and people of Ghana had accorded them over the past 18 years in their time of need. A statement signed by the Minister of the Interior, Mr Kwamena Bartels, made it clear to the refugees that the demonstration was in breach of the Public Order Act of 1994 and urged them to comport themselves and to channel all their grievances through the appropriate and relevant authorities for redress. Liberian refugees, who escaped into the country at the height of the civil war in their country, have petitioned the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, listing a tall order of demands. They said they are against local integration into the Ghanaian society, want to be resettled in a western country and each refugee opting to voluntarily repatriate to Liberia be paid 1,000 dollars. The statement expressed regret that some elements amongst the demonstrators have forced the closure of all schools at the camp by intimidating and preventing children from going to school. They have stopped the distribution of food by the National Catholic Secretariat and other non-governmental organisations to the elderly, sick and children. "These acts are clearly against the laws of Ghana and the government wishes to advise all refugees, those involved in the illegal demonstration at the Buduburam camp that it has a duty to maintain law and order in the country." The statement reminded the refugees that they have a duty under international refugees' conventions to respect the laws of Ghana.