August 20

On July 2 2007, UNHCR announced the end of voluntary repatriation of
Liberian Refugees. On that day, there was high tension among the refugee
population because the news about the closure of the camp was also
widespread among them.

From listening to the views of these refugees, we saw the need to find a
way that the refugees could express themselves properly to policies makers
(UNHCR, Ghana refugee board, and the government of Liberia) in a manner
that their voices would be heard and included into decisions that affect
them.

Therefore, with the support of the Liberian Refugee Welfare Council we
embarked upon discussion of the future of Liberian refugees living in
Buduburam through our peace cell meeting. Three (3) main questions were
discussed: “What are your feelings regarding repatriation? What challenges
do you expect to encounter in integrating into the Ghanaian community? What
can the community do to assist each other at this transitional time?”

Between July 3rd and 15, the views of more than four hundred persons were
collected from the peace cell discussion and documented.

On Friday, 17 August we met with Mr. Baumea, a member of the Ghana Refugee
Board and submitted the document to the Board through him. Before
presenting the document, we urged the board to take the views and concerns
of refugees into consideration when making decisions that concern them.

In his response Mr. Baumea commended PCO for the ‘ hard work’ and said the
document will be shared with UNHCR after the Board has met and discussed
it. He said that UNHCR and the Board are very much interested in hearing
the views of refugees and that the document will serve the purpose.

He also invited PCO to benefit from the ongoing national peace training
activities.

The meeting ended in a friendly manner. We are hoping that they will take
the views of the refugees seriously. At the same time we hope to continue
the advocacy.

Please see a copy of the report and let me hear your view. You can find the report at The Future of Refugees at Buduburam Settlement: Repatriation and Integration.

Emmanuel

NB. Many thanks to our international volunteers who helped to compile this
report