UNHCR, Refugees Board mark World Refugee Day in Accra

In commemoration of World Refugee Day 2024, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Ghana Refugees Board (GRB) joined forces to organize a series of impactful activities aimed at fostering solidarity and community integration in Accra. Themed ‘Solidarity with Refugees,’ this year’s event focused on highlighting the resilience and positive contributions of refugees within their host communities.

Central to the day’s activities was a clean-up campaign around the Kwame Nkrumah Overhead, symbolizing refugees’ commitment to environmental stewardship and community service. Mr. Stephen Amoani from the GRB emphasized that this initiative aimed not only to raise awareness about refugees’ contributions but also to showcase their willingness to integrate and give back to Ghanaian society.

“It’s important for us to dispel the misconception that refugees are a burden. They contribute significantly to our society as doctors, dentists, farmers, and in various other professions,” Mr. Amoani explained to The New Finder.

Parallel to the clean-up effort, a health screening exercise was conducted, facilitated by a team of refugee medical professionals and volunteers. Mr. David Oppong, a Protection Officer with UNHCR, highlighted the initiative’s dual purpose of promoting refugees as valuable assets and providing essential healthcare services.

“We have doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals among the refugees volunteering their expertise today. It’s their way of giving back to the community that has welcomed them,” Mr. Oppong stated.

The event also underscored Ghana’s commitment to refugee welfare, with Mr. Oppong commending the government’s efforts, including the integration of refugees into the National Health Insurance Scheme. He noted Ghana’s adherence to international conventions, emphasizing the country’s obligations under the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

Reflecting on the day’s significance, Mr. Gamaradeen Khatir Ayoub, a Sudanese refugee and community leader, expressed gratitude for Ghana’s hospitality and stressed the importance of collective efforts in community development.

“We are all part of one community. As humans, it’s essential to participate in activities that enhance our communities for the betterment of the nation,” Mr. Ayoub remarked.

The World Refugee Day activities in Accra served as a poignant reminder of the resilience, contributions, and shared humanity that define refugee communities worldwide.