Repatriation of stranded Burkinabes begins(D/G, Monday, January 7, 2013. Page 38)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Officials from Ghana and Burkina Faso have commenced an exercise to repatriate a total of 600 displaced burkinabes seeking refuge at Sapelliga in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region. The influx of the refugees into Ghana is said to have been fueled by a conflict between some Busangas and Fulanis in the Baringunse community in Burkina Faso and later spilled over to Yorikor and Zaabire on December 31, 2012.The refugees later into Sapelliga in Ghana which is about about 7 kilometers from their respective communities. The first batch of 266 out of the total of 600 were repatriated on Sunday while officials from both countries put in place measures to have all the displaced person freighted back home. Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Bawku West District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP) Christian Dogbatse said buses were brought in by the burkinabe authorities on Sunday to pick the first batch of 266 from Sapelliga in Ghana to Nayuuga innBurkina Faso on Sunday. He said the exercise will continue until such time that all the refugee depart Sapelliga He said NADMO and other security agencies such as the Ghana Immigration Service were on hand to supervise the repatriation exercise. Last week, the Upper East Regional Coordinator of NADMO, Mr Alfred Saawug led officials of the agency to Sapelliga to hand over some relief items to the displaced persons. The Bawku West by the District Chief Executive Alhaji Anaba Adam Moro, on behalf of the assembly also presented some food and toiletry items to be distributed among the registered refugees. The Governor in of the Central East Province in Burkina-Faso, Allahidi Diallo, who also visited the refugees and said arrangements were far advanced to create shelters at Nayuuga Community in Burkina-Faso to accommodate the refugees while steps taken very soon, while steps taken towards a peaceful resolution of the problem. He expressed appreciation to the people of the chiefs and elders as well as the people of Sapelliga for playing host to the refugees, while efforts are made for them to return home. benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh