A group of Ghanaians who were recently repatriated from Port-Bouët have appealed to government for assistance to help them reintegrate into their communities after losing their homes during a demolition exercise in the area.
The 43 returnees, who had been living in a settlement known as Zimbabwe within Port-Bouët, arrived in Ghana and were received by the Western Regional Coordinating Council.
According to the returnees, they were initially informed about three years ago that parts of the community could be affected by a planned road construction project. However, they say the actual demolition began unexpectedly on June 2, when authorities moved into the area with heavy equipment.
One of the affected residents, who spoke about the experience, described how sudden the operation was and the difficulties that followed.
“I was born and raised there, and my mother owns property in the area. About three years ago, we were informed that the land had been acquired and that the community could be affected. On June 2, demolition activities began. In the process, many residents were unable to retrieve some of their belongings. Since then, life has been very difficult for many of us”, He said.
Several of the returnees say the transition back to Ghana has been difficult, especially for families who have lived in Côte d’Ivoire for generations. They are calling on authorities to provide support such as employment opportunities and financial assistance to help them restart their lives.
“Many of us have spent our entire lives there. Returning to Ghana presents a new reality, and we are appealing for support to help us settle and become self-sufficient. Assistance in the form of employment opportunities or financial support would go a long way in helping us start afresh.”
Despite their challenges, the group expressed gratitude to government for facilitating their return and offering initial support. They specifically commended the efforts of President John Dramani Mahama and state institutions involved in the process.
Officials from the Ghana Immigration Service, together with representatives of the Western Regional Coordinating Council, processed the returnees on Thursday and into the early hours of Friday.
The Western Regional Coordinating Council has assured that it will continue to engage relevant agencies to ensure the successful reintegration of the returnees into society.
The group comprises 17 adult males, 18 adult females, four male children and four female children.
