Ambrose Dery
Keeping watch over our national security even as we adhere to the dictates of the international conventions on refugees, to which we are signatories, is not a picnic affair.
That is exactly what is expected of us as a country with a dignity to protect in the comity of civilised nations.
When the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, spoke during this year’s World Refugees Day, which fell a few days ago, he gave an assurance that the country would keep an eye over the refugee space.
He could not have said anything contrary to this when we are in times different from previous ones.
The West African sub-region is in dire times with the security of the component countries never so challenged by terrorists and bandits, some of who are able to cross borders with ease, heavily armed.
Differentiating genuine asylum seekers from those with criminal intentions who stack grenades on their bodies with a view to detonating same in a marketplace across the border, is not something any country would like to countenance.
Unfortunately, absolute adherence to the terms of the conventions on refugees who seek shelter in our country opens us to the risk of terrorists.
It behooves the state, supported by the people, to therefore, open their eyes to be able to see what could be potential danger to the security of the state and report same to the appropriate authorities.
It was gratifying to learn about the pass mark the minister gave to refugees in the country, something which is exhilarating.
That refugees have been of good conduct so far is something we should clap our hands for.
Hosting refugees from 35 countries underscores the fact that our doors are really open to those who take cover here from imminent danger in their countries of origin.
This is a furtherance of the policy which one of the founding fathers of this country, Kwame Nkrumah, adopted when we attained independence from our colonial masters, the British.
Under the first President, Ghana was said to have become a Mecca for African liberation fighters offering then a lifesaving haven for them. While some furthered their education here, others continued to work towards the liberation of their countries from the yoke of colonialism.
Ghana, by the foregone, is not a stranger to hosting refugees but new to doing so under unusual times such as when terrorists are breathing down our shoulders from across the borders and showing interest in crossing over to spill blood.
Even as we concur with the theme of this year’s World Refugee Day of “The Right To Seek Safety – Whoever, Wherever and Whenever,” we would hasten to add that under the circumstances, the security of our country is paramount. The refugee space should be guided jealously by all means and hosts should respect our laws.