Burkinabe refugees threaten security – Upper West REGSEC | General news



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The Upper West Regional Security Council (REGSEC) expressed surprise at the "alarming" number of Burkinabe refuges settling in the Sissala areas.

Regional Deputy Minister Amidu Chinnia Issahaku, who led REGSEC members after visiting the camps on Wednesday, called for national action to address the situation.

They traveled to Wuru, Kwapun, Banu and Pido along the borders between Ghana and Burkina Faso after holding a meeting in Waabout on how to handle the influx of foreigners into the region.

The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) identified 253 households with 1,633 undocumented Burkinabe nationals, the majority of them women and children, camping in agricultural communities.

The Ghana Disaster Management Organization estimates that there are 360 ​​male refugees and 393 women and children, comprising 462 boys and 418 girls.

He identified 489 people in Wuru, 467 in Kwapun, 561 in Banu and 111 in Pido.

"We also heard that more of them [the Burkinabe nationals] will come and this is worrying, "said Issahaku.

"The government is worried about the influx of foreigners into the country as current and future security is threatened."

The REGSEC visit was triggered by reports from the Ghana News Agency (GNA) investigating unusual movements of foreigners along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border. unapproved routes badisted by local owners without a permit.

"It has been brought to the attention of the regional minister that we have nationals of Burkina Faso who emigrated to settle in the east of Sissala, more precisely in the Banu traditional zone. so organize an emergency meeting of REGSEC to discuss the issue, "he said. I said.

The visit aimed to help security to become acquainted with first-hand information about what could have caused the exodus of nationals from the French-speaking country in the English-speaking West African country.

"What we have established is that most of them said that Ghana had a fertile land for which they had the intention of farming to feed themselves, while the rest of them had a lot of food. others have indicated where they came from, some attacks have been perpetrated against their communities, "Chinnia said.

"We also met with the leaders of the region and, in fact, we think the numbers are alarming. Over a thousand, that 's huge, with a lot of capable young men with a lot of kids'.

"If something is not done, their presence can be a threat to the country, we can not compromise the security of our country," he said.

Foreigners are required to follow due process before settling in the country. However, due to weak border controls and too many unapproved routes, they would be in the country without documents.

Mr Chinnia said the government was working to identify the categories of foreign nationals and their "real status", ie "if they are really farmers or they are fleeing attacks".

He added that REGSEC had tabled a report containing numerous recommendations concerning the situation of concern and providing for immediate action.

Chinnia also said officials are in touch with local citizens about their state of health so that they can deal with any disease caused by cross-border movements.

He noted that it was an urgent matter, which raised both national and international concerns, stating: "We respect the rights of ECOWAS and the pacts of the ECOWAS. AU to which Ghana has subscribed ".

Sissala East's general manager, Karim Nanyua, said the presence of these migrants had probably put undue pressure on the existing limited social infrastructure in the host communities.

He added that chiefs and locals had been asked to report suspected persons to the authorities so that the necessary measures could be taken.

NADMO Regional Director in the Upper West, Mr. Jacob Dery, said his team was working on setting up the necessary help and added, "We realize that they were installing temporal structures for accommodation, so I go back to Wa [regional capital] prepare a report in Accra.

"We will make a request to the headquarters for mattresses, blankets and rubber buckets so that they can cook and take a bath," said Mr. Dery adding that:

"NADMO, in the Upper West, can not provide tents any time soon."

He called on donor agencies to provide logistical support, saying, "We will definitely need donor badistance. If we get support from donor agencies, we will be very happy.

"Now we have the ultimate responsibility to take care of them".

He also described the number of people exceeding thousands as overwhelming, but added that Ghana needed to keep a close eye on them.

REGSEC included the Police, the Army, the Customs Accident Prevention and Excise Service of the Ghana Revenue Authority, NADMO, the National Investigation Bureau, the Red Cross, national security and immigration.

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