The Minority in Parliament has donated CFA 2 million to Ghanaian refugees in Vonkoro, in the Bouna Region of Côte d’Ivoire.
The gesture comes in the wake of a week-long conflict in the Savannah Region that claimed the lives of more than 40 Ghanaians and displaced over 40,000 people. An estimated 13,000 of the displaced crossed into Côte d’Ivoire.
Over 8000 of the displaced have since returned to Ghana.
Announcing the donation to the refugees, Nana Asafo-Adjei-Ayeh, leader of the four-member delegation that visited Vonkoro, said:
“We are here on behalf of the Minority in Parliament and Ghanaians in their entirety to empathise with you for the ordeal you’re all going through as a result of this conflict. We are making this donation to you to help alleviate some of the challenges you’re facing.
“It is our hope that, sooner than later, a lasting resolution will be reached for all of you to return home. Do accept this cash donation of CFA 2 million from us and use it to support yourselves.”
Receiving the support, Kawuro Kwasi David, Assemblyman for the Bale Electoral Area in Bole and leader of the refugees in Vonkoro, expressed gratitude to the MPs:
“We can only be grateful to you for your kind gesture, as this will go a long way towards making sure that our stay here becomes comfortable. We do appreciate this from the Minority MPs of our Parliament.”
The displaced Ghanaians, who were visibly encouraged by the visit, expressed optimism that the Minority’s pressure on government would accelerate their return home.
“We believe that with you as the Minority, if you put pressure on the government, we shall achieve results as we wish very much to return home,” one concerned refugee said.
