Monrovia, Liberia – Sixty percent of the first group of refugees from Ghana to Liberia are drug addicts, according to Patrick Worzie, Executive Director of the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission. Speaking on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at the press briefing of the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism, Mr. Worzie stated that 770 returnees had been registered, of whom 60% were battling drug addiction.
He underlined the pressing challenges associated with this government-backed repatriation initiative in Liberia. In his explanation of the situation, Mr. Worzie said that sixteen of the returnees are expectant mothers, fifteen have mental health issues, and a number of others have disabilities.
There are 183 children under the age of five in the group, he continued, making up a sizable number of vulnerable children. Mr. Worzie further mentioned that the returnees have made their temporary home in Bong County, where they will continue to be evaluated and get the assistance they require.
The LRRRC added that initially, the government of Liberia had budgeted to repatriate about one thousand five hundred Liberians, with the current situation, the number of Liberians wanting to come back home has increase to over four thousand.
Mr. Worzie explained that, there are some Liberians who are opting for citizenship in Ghana, noting that the Liberian government will help those Liberians gain their status in that African nation.
