Volta Region prepares for Togolese refugees

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Refugee Board and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) have set in motion an action plan to prepare for a possible influx of Togolese refugees during and after Togo's general election next Sunday. A two-day workshop for some institutions that would tackle the likely refugee influx began on Thursday in Ho and would end on Friday, May 30 under the auspices of the UNHCR, VRCC and the Refugee Board, a statement from the VRCC said. Mr Steve Selormey, Regional Coordinating Director, told the Ghana News Agency that the institutions to be involved were the Military, Police, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ghana Health Service (GHS), Information Services Department (ISD), Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).

Ketu, Ho, Hohoe, Jasikan and the Kadjebi District Assemblies would also be involved.

Mr Selormey said possible reception centres for the refugees would be sited at Dzodze, Denu, Akoefe, Kpedze, Hohoe, Golokwati and Menusu.

He said refugee camps for those, who might not have relatives in the country, would also be identified.

Reports from Aflao indicated that some residents of Lome had moved to Aflao to secure accommodation as the elections draw nearer.

The Togolese authorities had since last week maintained tight border controls on its frontiers with Ghana, shutting out foreigners without valid travelling documents.