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 all Liberian refugees who opted for Local Integration and presented themselves received the package which included cash grants, passports with residence permits and work permit for adults and National Health Insurance registration.
She said about 4,000 Liberian refugees in Ghana opted for local integration with about 3,669 being given their packages.
Ms Folley said there were some 'No shows' and the window for claims closed in 2016. Liberians who opted for Local integration and failed to show up from 2012-2016 when the window for receiving the package was opened, unfortunately cannot be assisted by UNHCR at the moment as there is no budget for that presently.
“As part of helping with integration, UNHCR built a school for the community which has been handed over to the government and children of refugees can easily. There is also a health facility in the community which accepts NHIS cards,” she said.
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 explained that resettlement is often used as a protection tool. The resettlement countries have their own criteria in selecting who gets to go.
“UNHCR has little to do with the decisions by the receiving countries. UNHCR in collaboration with partners and other UN Agencies in Ghana have supported the refugees with skills and business start-ups to be able to stand on their feet.
“Opportunity have been given to the refugees to get skills such as tailoring, brick laying, masonry, baking among others and there are some who are making good use of the support offered and managing their own businesses now.
“Also with support from a German scholarship program known as DAFI, some have been assisted with education at the tertiary level to enable them have a better future”.
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.