On World Refugee Day: Whoever, Wherever, Whenever they may be

Every minute, 20 people, over half of which are less than 18 years of age, leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror.

In a world which is supposed to be free, full of dream realising opportunities, is this not an error?

It is however refreshing that the United Nations per its 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol is helping to protect these persons.

Indeed, refugees deserve, as a minimum, the same standards of treatment enjoyed by other foreign nationals in a given country and, in many cases, the same treatment as nationals.

Whoever, Wherever and Whenever they are, people forced to flee should be treated with dignity regardless of who they are, what they believe or wherever they come from.

It ought to be emphasized that forcibly placed persons may be refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, stateless persons and returnees and have several recognizable rights contained in the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. They include;

• The right not to be expelled, except under certain, strictly defined conditions;
• The right not to be punished for illegal entry into the territory of a contracting State;
• The right to work;
• The right to housing;
• The right to education;
• The right to public relief and assistance;
• The right to freedom of religion;
• The right to access the courts;
• The right to freedom of movement within the territory;
• The right to be issued identity and travel documents.

On World Refugee Day commemorated every 20th day of June, the United Nations celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home countries to escape conflict or persecution. 

It is also an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.

Furthermore, the World body recognizes the daily, on-the-ground work of religious communities who help those in need. The efforts of these communities – churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and religiously-affiliated organizations, alongside secular organizations, significantly contribute to receiving and welcoming refugees, regardless of their religious affiliation.

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres couldn’t have put the above better when he declared that the 2022 celebration

“affirms a fundamental tenet of our common humanity: everyone has the right to seek safety – whoever they are, wherever they come from, and whenever they are forced to flee.”

According to the UNHCR, over 100 million people are now forcibly displaced around the world in light of the war in Ukraine, which is the fastest displacement crisis in recent times.

Ghana’s 14,000 Refugee Population and Efforts

World Refugee Day is commemorated each year in Ghana and it's worth noting that the Refugee and asylum-seeking population stands at about 14,000 with about half of this number sheltered in refugee camps. This is according to the Ghana Refugee Board.

The most striking point to note is that only Ghana hosts refugees originating from over 34 different countries of the world with the largest group being Ivorians who fled the 2011 electoral disturbances in that country and are held in the three(3) Ivorian camps; Ampian and Egyeikrom in the Western Region and Fetentaa in the Brong Ahafo Region.

Additionally, the most popular Buduburam Settlement near Kasoa still has mostly Ivorians who were granted an exemption.

Aside from refugee assistance from partners, the Government of Ghana makes a significant contribution to ensuring their development and refugee well-being through the provision of education, health, sanitary and other facilities.

The role of faith-based organizations relative to their key roles in Ghana’s refugee response also needs to be emphasized. 

For instance, the Christian Council of Ghana, an ecumenical, research-based advocacy organization, has been working in partnership with UNHCR and other partners for years to offer protection and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in Ghana, in fields such as shelter construction and education.

Also, the commemoration of the Day in 2020 in Ghana, witnessed the sod-cutting of the UNHCR Community Centre called “Blue Oasis” which is to provide business development, learning and mentoring opportunities for the refugees.

Even though the presence of refugees greatly impacts the economies of host countries due to the qualities, skills and trade that they carry, which Ghana is not an exception, there is a myriad of challenges and vices that a developing nation like our own and the refugees themselves face.

Most refugees engage themselves in vices and irresponsible behaviours which serve as a detriment to the indigenes and themselves like armed robbery, prostitution etc.

There is also a possibility for citizens of the host countries to look down on refugees in the delivery and provision of goods and services which act as a great disservice and demotivates their existence thus the Government through the Refugee Board must educate and conscientize Ghanaians to accept anyone wherever whoever or whatever they are.

Moreover, despite the efforts of the agencies and government, a lot needs to be done relative to sanitary conditions in some of these refugee camps. These are certainly nothing to write home about and thus government should up its game to deal with such situations before it leads to an outbreak which may in turn affect the citizens also.

It is also time for the government to take steps to deal with the situation whereby some unruly refugees find themselves on the streets as beggars instead of getting themselves into the camps and getting the needed help. In as much as we have accepted them, a duty also behoves us to get them to behave responsibly and get the needed help.

As William Shakespeare rightly puts it, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be,” Ghanaians should continually accept refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, stateless persons and returnees with open arms to complement the effort of the world body as partners in refugee matters.

Even though we wish not that anything should provoke the situation that will render Ghanaians any of these refugee classifications, we should still continue to warmly receive and be hospitable to such persons because we know not whoever, whenever and wherever we may be.