The Deputy Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nana Kwame Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, has set the record straight on some claims made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs about displaced Ghanaians seeking refuge in Côte d’Ivoire.

In a statement dated Friday, September 19, 2025, the committee responded to the minister, saying that based on its own findings after a visit to Côte d’Ivoire, it is untrue that 8,000 Ghanaians who were refugees in Vonkoro, in the francophone country, have returned to Ghana.

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According to the committee, while some 5,000 refugees of the Gbenyiri conflict are still in Vonkrono, about 8,000 others have been displaced and are being hosted in various communities in Côte d’Ivoire.

“Contrary to the minister's report, the leadership confirmed that no 8,000 persons have returned to Ghana. The 5,000 Ghanaian refugees are still hosted in Vonkoro, while the remaining 8,000 are scattered across the other host communities, including, but not limited to Dagbekura, Gbotogbo, Tchormiikura, Masiiten,” portions of the statement said.

In providing its findings, which it says are ‘inconsistent’ with the claims made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the committee said it engaged with the camp leadership, who complained of neglect by the Ghanaian embassy in Côte d’Ivoire.

“The leadership expressed their appreciation to the Ivorian government for providing security and essential amenities. However, they lamented that, apart from the recent visit of the foreign minister, the Ghanaian Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire has not visited them and has failed to follow up since,” the statement indicated.

It added; “They stressed that their return hinges on assurances from the Yagbonwura and the President of the Republic that calm has been restored. They are also mindful of the one-month mandate given to the Mediation Committee and, therefore, believe any reports of mass return are misleading at this stage.”

Condemning the incident, the parliamentary committee criticised the government’s security agencies for what it described as their failure to detect the conflict and prevent it from escalating.

The committee also accused Minister Ablakwa of misleading the country with his claims, and urged President John Dramani Mahama to fast-track efforts to restore peace in the affected areas and facilitate the return of displaced victims.

“The Minority decries first, the failure of the Mahama-led government, particularly, the security and intelligence apparatus to pre-empt the conflict in Gbenyiri which has resulted in the avoidable displacement of our citizens, now living in unpleasant conditions in Vonkoro, and second, the misrepresentations by the foreign minister, which sought mislead the people of Ghana.

“We, therefore, call on the president to expedite concrete measures to restore peace in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Bole Districts and ensure the safe and dignified return of our fellow countrymen,” it concluded.

Background

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on September 15, 2025, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed that about 8,000 persons displaced by the recent conflict at Gbenyiri in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Bole Districts have safely returned home.

Ablakwa, who accompanied the displaced persons in Côte d’Ivoire also said the latest census revealed that 5,309 Ghanaians remain outside the country’s jurisdiction.

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The minister said that his visit to the camp of the displaced was to deliver a special message from President Mahama, assess the situation for further consular assistance, express Ghana’s gratitude to the Ivorian authorities, and provide immediate relief.

Read the minority's statement below;



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