A total of 785 refugees from Burkina Faso who sought asylum some months ago in some communities in the Bawku West, Binduri, Pusiga Districts and the Bawku Municipality will be resettled at Tarikom, a community near the Burkina Faso border in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region.
The refugees, who trooped into the Region owing to some alleged terrorists attacks in their country, are currently scattered across communities within the four Districts in the Kusaug Traditional Area, are expected to move to a well organised settlement tomorrow, June 15, 2023.
The move to resettle the refugees would reduce the chances of Jihadists infiltration as there would be frequent security checks at the new camp.
This was revealed in a consultative meeting with some Divisional Chiefs from the Traditional Area, the Ghana Refugees Board (GRB) UNHCR, officials from the Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) concerned and the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).
Mr Sika Agbesi, the Regional Coordinator of the GRB, said the reception area for the refugees covered ten acres of land with tents, toilet, health facilities, lightening system and other social amenities.
The Regional Minister, Hon. Stephen Yakubu commended the Chiefs for the kind reception offered to the refugees over the period, noting that at the time he visited the area when the refugees arrived, the Chiefs provided lands for them to settle, and showed them massive hospitality.
Hon. Yakubu, who Chairs the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), urged the GRB to sensitize the refugees to be law abiding, and live in peace with other community members.
Naba Emmanuel A. Ayatiba lll , the Divisional Chief of Sapeliga who provided the land for the resettlement, thanked the Regional Minister and the GRB for the initiative to resettle the refugees as their presence among the indigenes posed security threat to them.
He reiterated the Minister’s call for the refugees to obey the laws, norms and the traditions in the area.
