Over 150 Ivorian and Sudanese nationals are in Ghana seeking asylum in the Ampain Refugee Camp in the Ellembele District of the Western Region as at Sunday, August 31.
According to Ttv3 reports, this influx of refugees here is as a result of political instability in their home countries.
The Executive Secretary of the refugee board, Tetteh Padi, speaking to Tv3 explained that no violence has yet occurred and the concerns or the asylum seekers are precautionary, however valid.
“The claim is that they suspect that there will be violence during the election. It is mere suspicion but it’s enough basis for them to decide to seek asylum,” he said.
He added that the norm in such cases is for these refugees to return home when once elections pass peacefully.
“Basically it is precautionary, and nothing has happened yet but they are here to seek asylum for the mean time. And what usually happens is that after the elections when everything is quiet, they return,” Mr. Padi explained.
Tetteh Padi then assured that, should the numbers increase, there are contingency measures in place that would be activated.
He stated, “We have a standing committee with all stakeholders where we have contingency measures in place in case we have a huge number.”
Adding, “We are monitoring the situation very closely and if it becomes necessary, we will activate the responses.”
Mr. Padi further stressed that the priority is to properly screen all arrivals before letting them into the country.
“The important thing is to make sure that the people who are coming in are screened, both health and security, and then we give them the essentials that they require.”
