Minority in Parliament Donates GH¢44K to Support Ghanaian Refugees in Côte d’Ivoire

• Minority MPs have donated GH¢44,002.88 to Ghanaian refugees displaced by Gbenyiri conflict
• Parliamentary delegation visited Vonkoro camp in Côte d’Ivoire to show solidarity and support
• Over 13,000 fled to Côte d’Ivoire after the violence, but 8,000 have since returned home

The Minority in the Parliament of Ghana has extended a helping hand to Ghanaians who fled to Côte d’Ivoire as a result of the Gbenyiri conflict in the Savannah Region.

They donated CFA 2 million, equivalent of GH¢44,002.88, to help the Ghanaian refugees alleviate their suffering.

A four-member parliamentary delegation, led by Nana Asafo-Adjei, the Deputy Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, visited the refugees in Vonkoro to express solidarity and provide support.

The gesture comes in the wake of the Gbenyiri conflict, which has reportedly claimed over 40 lives and displaced over 40,000 people.

Out of the many who fled their homes in the Savannah Region, about 13,000 of them sought refuge in neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire.

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Earlier, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, disclosed that over 8,000 of the Ghanaian refugees have returned home, leaving only 5,000 in Côte d’Ivoire.

Minority reiterates commitment to supporting distressed Ghanaians

During the visit, Nana Asafo-Adjei assured the refugees of the Minority's commitment to supporting Ghanaians in distress.

“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," he reportedly said.

“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," he added.

Receiving the donation, the Assemblyman for the Bale Electoral Area in Bole and leader of the Ghanaian refugees in Vonkoro, Kawuro Kwasi David, thanked the Minority for their support.

"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,” he added.

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Read the Facebook post below:

Minority MPs gesture too Ghanaian refugees commended

Ghanaians on social media have commended the Minority MPs for the gesture towards the Ghanaian refugees in Côte d’Ivoire.

YEN.com.gh gathered some of the comments below:

@Harry Awintis said:

"This is what we expect a minority to be doing. Not organizing press conferences, breaking microphones and Breaking tables in parliament."

@Gabriel Tettey also said:

"God bless you so much. We are proud of you Honourable."

@Buckman Sherif commented:

"Allah bless you!"

Foreign Affairs Minister supports Ghanaians in Ivory Coast

In a related development, YEN.com.gh reported that the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa visited a group of Ghanaians refugees in Côte d’Ivoire.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa donated over GH¢130,000 to support affected refugees and urged them to return home.

The minister assured them of President Mahama’s commitment to restoring peace and improving security in the area.

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Gbenyiri conflict: Ghana's Foreign Minister donates over GH¢130k to Ghanaians in Ivory Coast

Source: YEN.com.gh