Ghana Refugee Board appeals for increased funding amid declining international support

The Ghana Refugee Board (GRB) has issued an urgent appeal for greater support from development partners, humanitarian organizations, and philanthropists, citing a critical decline in international funding that threatens the sustainability of refugee welfare programs in the country. This call for assistance comes as Ghana joined the global community in observing World Refugee Day on June 20.

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Africa continued to bear a significant share of the global refugee burden due to ongoing conflicts in countries such as Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and parts of the Sahel region.

This year's commemoration, themed 'Until Everyone is Safe,' focused on honoring the resilience of refugees and asylum seekers forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. Joseph Azumah, Chairman of the GRB, highlighted the unprecedented scale of the global displacement crisis, with over 132 million people forcibly displaced worldwide. He noted that nearly 40 percent of these displaced individuals are children whose futures have been severely impacted.

Azumah stressed that Africa bears a substantial burden of this crisis, with ongoing conflicts in regions like Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Sahel. Despite its own developmental challenges, Ghana maintains a tradition of offering protection to those seeking safety. He urged the public to reject negative stereotypes, emphasizing that refugees are hardworking individuals with valuable skills who can significantly contribute to national development when provided with opportunities.

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He explained that refugees included teachers, healthcare workers, artisans and entrepreneurs, and should not be seen as a burden but as people with the potential to contribute to national development when given the opportunity.

Nana Asare Bediako, Executive Secretary of the GRB, revealed that Ghana currently hosts approximately 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with about 21,000 registered. He expressed concern over dwindling donor support, particularly from the UNHCR, which previously funded about 90 percent of refugee programs. This reduction in funding places immense pressure on available resources, impacting essential services like shelter, education, healthcare, and livelihoods, especially for refugees possessing skills that could benefit Ghana's development.

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The growing refugee population, coupled with dwindling donor support, was placing considerable pressure on available resources.