By Bill W. Cooper
Report emanating from Gbarnga City, Bong County says that the government and the stranded Liberians from the Buduburam Refugee Camp in Ghana are currently embroiled in a tussle over the latters’ locality for resettlement upon their arrival in Liberia.
The Buduburam Refugee Camp, located in Ghana, has been home to thousands of Liberian refugees who fled their country during the civil war that ravaged Liberia in the 1990s for decades but were no longer referred to as refugee because of the reported level of peace in Liberia, the Ghanaian government gave them options; to migrate or return home.
The camp, which was established in 1990, has served as a temporary refuge for Liberians who were forced to flee their homes due to the violence and instability in their country and were in dire need for shelter and safety; but those who are being repatriated reneged on returning home even when Liberia regained its stability.
However, the Ghanaian government announced plans to close the camp and repatriate the refugees back to Liberia, a pronouncement which followed by the demolition of the residents Houses on the camp.
As a result of the situation, the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after days of negotiations then brought into the country over the weekend, the first batch of approximately 750 Liberian refugees from the Buduburam Refugees Camp in Ghana.
Prior to their arrival, it was planned by the government through the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) that the returnees would have settled in Bong County after which they can be linked up with their family members.
But to the dismay of the government and residents of Bong, the returning refugees, upon their return to Liberia, began raising concerns over their stay in the county; as some of them are now demanding that the government ensure a home in Monrovia for their stay.
They argued that the structure erected for them by the government in Bong County is not conducive and lacks several facilities and as such, they are now faced with challenge of finding a suitable locality for their resettlement.
But in reaction, the LRRRC, through its Executive Director, Patrick Worzi, reminded them that the government, during its discussion with the returnees in Ghana, agreed to several options proposed for their resettlement; of which, some of them chose other nearby counties to reside excluding Montserrado.
But according to report from Bong, the returned stranded Liberians could not live up to agreement and have expressed concerns about the proposed localities, citing issues such as lack of basic services, infrastructure, and economic opportunities.
Many of the Liberians also expressed desire to return to Monrovia where they believe and feel that they can easily get connected to their lost family members as well as easily established themselves and have a startup job as fast as possible.
Meanwhile, the tussle between the government and the Liberians has further led to tensions and disagreements between the two parties thus undermining the celebrations and happiness associated with their return from Ghana following several years as unwelcomed refugees.
As the tussle over the locality for resettlement continues, both the government and the returning refugees are facing challenges and uncertainties leaving the government immense under pressure to find a suitable solution for the resettlement of these refugees.
But in the midst of these challenges, it is important for all parties involved to work together in a spirit of cooperation and understanding owing to the fact that the resettlement of the returning refugees is a complex and sensitive issue that requires careful planning and coordination.
