BONG COUNTY, LIBERIA – Bong County authorities have lauded the government of President Joseph N. Boakai for facilitating the return of the first batch of Liberian refugees from the Buduburam refugee camp in Ghana, which arrived in the country via the Loguatuo border on Friday. The refugees, who arrived in 20 buses accompanied by cargo vehicles carrying their personal belongings, were part of a group whose structures were recently demolished by traditional rulers at Gomoa Buduburam.
Speaking at the arrival ceremony, Bong County Legislative Caucus co-chair Senator Johnny Kpehe and Bong County Superintendent Hawa Norris expressed excitement at welcoming the refugees back to Bong County. They called on the people of Bong to see the returning refugees as their brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers, emphasizing the importance of working together for Liberia’s overall development.
The Bong County leaders expressed sadness over the treatment of the refugees by the Ghanaian government. During their personal interactions with the refugees en route to Bong County, Senator Kpehe and Superintendent Norris noted that while the refugees were saddened by their ill-treatment, they were happy to be back home.
The Liberian refugee returnees are currently being sheltered in a temporary camp in Sergeant Kollie Town, Suakoko District #5, Bong County. Patrick Worzie, the Executive Director of the Liberia Refugee Repatriation Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), stated that the 770 refugees are part of a total of 4,300 Liberian refugees scheduled to return home between May and June this year. “The repatriation is part of the Liberia Refugee Repatriation Resettlement Commission’s plans to bring Liberians back from the camp in Ghana,” Worzie said.
Worzie further revealed that funding and all necessary logistics were provided by the Liberian government. He commended the government for its support in the repatriation process. The Executive Director also mentioned that construction work is ongoing at the temporary camp in Sergeant Kollie Town to better accommodate the returnees.
Some of the refugees expressed their gratitude to President Boakai’s administration and its developmental partners for assisting in their repatriation. “The government did very well through the LRRRC to repatriate us. We are happy to be back home after spending almost 40 years,” they said. “We are glad to be back home even though we are not strangers, but because we spent a long time out of our country due to war.”
The repatriation process is being carried out by the Liberia Refugees Repatriation Resettlement Commission in collaboration with the government of Liberia and NGO partners.
