Interior Minister reaffirms Ghana’s commitment to refugee protection

The Minister for the Interior, Mr Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to protecting refugees and upholding international standards, following commendation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

He said this on Monday during a courtesy call in Accra by Mr Andrew Wyllie, Deputy Director for West and Central Africa at the UNHCR, who commended Ghana for its consistent adherence to global refugee protection principles and its humane approach to managing displaced persons during crises.

The Minister reiterated Ghana’s Pan-Africanist values, stressing that the country’s refugee policy is rooted in empathy and shared responsibility.

“Crisis can befall anybody,” he said, adding that while resources may be limited, Ghana remains committed to extending support and dignity to those seeking refuge.

Mr Muntaka disclosed that the government is currently managing a significant number of migrants and is assessing pathways to regularise their status, including registering eligible individuals as refugees or facilitating voluntary repatriation.

He expressed appreciation to the UNHCR for its continued partnership and commended the Ghana Refugee Board for its role in supporting refugee management across the country.

Mr Wyllie noted that Ghana’s asylum system aligns with UNHCR policies and emphasised the agency’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the government.

He highlighted the need to expand opportunities for refugees, particularly in education, employment, skills training, and income-generating activities.

He singled out the Ghana Refugee Agribusiness Sustainable Programme as a model initiative, describing it as a practical step toward reducing dependency and promoting self-reliance among refugees and host communities.