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Written by Wellington Geevon Smith
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Saturday, 22 March 2008 |
The first batch of deported Liberian refugees is expected to arrive in the country shortly from Ghana.
The thirty refugees were expelled by Ghanaian authorities after being arrested for allegedly violating the country’s public order act for protesting against the UN refugee agency in the country.
The Liberian government said the thirty deportees would arrive later today at the Roberts International Airport.
Information Minister Lawrence Bropleh said among the thirty refugees there are nine women while the rest are men.
Dr. Bropleh said upon arrival the deported Liberians would be received by senior government officials.
He said the deported Liberian refugees would be accommodated at a reception facility, temporary established by government to ensure that they are cared for.
Ghanaian security forces last week rounded up nearly one thousand Liberian women and took them to an isolated place in the east of the country.
The recent incident of armed Ghanaian security forces entering the Liberian refugee camp brings to four since the John Kufuor government came to power.
In earlier 2003, armed Ghanaian security rounded hundreds of Liberian refugee men and made the Liberians to sit in the sun for nearly five hours.
The Ghanaian authorities claimed there were arms on the camp but did find any weapon on the refugee camp after their search.
Meanwhile, government said it is continuing the dialogue with the Ghanaian government to resolve the crisis of Liberian refugees in Ghana.
The Minister of Information disclosed a four man technical team of the Liberian government has already arrived in Ghana.
Dr. Bropleh said the team comprises LRRRC Deputy Executive Director Saar Nyumah and Deputy Immigration Commissioner Abla Williams.
He named other members of the team as former Information Minister Emmanuel Bowier and Madison Tokpa of the Justice Ministry.
Dr. Bropleh said the technical team would be followed by an official delegation led by Foreign Minister Olubanke King-Akerele.
Other members of the official team include Justice Minister Phillip Banks, Internal Affairs Minister Ambulai Johnson and Deputy Information Minister Gabriel Williams.
Reacting to news coming out of Ghana, a local human rights group condemned the situation Liberian refugees are facing in Ghana.
The Liberia Human Rights for Democracy said the treatment melted out against Liberians by Ghanaian authorities could stir tension between the two countries.
The group’s Executive Director wants the Liberian government quickly intervene to save the refugees from further chaos.
Mr. Boima Gray said it is unfortunate for the Ghanaian government to treat the Liberians in search a manner.
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