The national disaster management organization, NADMO, has registered close to 5,000 Burkinabe asylum seekers as of Sunday, January 22.
The suspected jihadist attacks have reportedly led to loss of several lives as houses have been burnt down in a number of villages including a police stations and a telephone communication tower station.
The Bawku west district NADMO director, Anania Daniel Atampuba, said thirteen electoral areas out of 34 in the Bawku west district have so far been identified as hosting the displaced people from Burkina Faso.
Those registered as of Sunday January 22 are Widnaba 1,773, Kansoogo 1,325, Soogo 851, Teshie 246, Zebilla central 264, Yikurugu 34, Gumbare 9, Tilli 29, Sapeliga 17, Komaka 31, Googo 19, and Galaka 6, bringing the total to 4,936.
The registered asylum seekers by sex distribution are 2,557 females, 2,195 children (1,122 boys & 1,073 girls), and 289 males.
Anania Daniel Atampuba, said his outfit is working hard to identify, screen and register some 320 fulanis headsmen have pitched camp in Sapeliga from Burkina Faso with their cattle.
We have also taken notice of some Fulani headsmen who have taken refuge in Sapeliga. The zonal council is working to identify them to be registered. Their effort is being complemented by that of the Ghana immigration service. We are doing all these in order that we do not harbour people who would become security threats to us.’
Meanwhile, the Kusaug traditional authority headed by the Zugraana, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, has presented 104 bags of rice, 4 bags of maize, used clothing and others items worth about 100,000 cedis to the Bawku west district assembly towards the upkeep of the Burkinabe asylum seekers.
Spokesperson for the Zugraana, Naba Thomas Abilla, charged the public especially residents within the Bawku enclave to be vigilant and security conscious in order to help fight both internal and external threats.
‘We must all be security conscious, the national security slogan, see something, say something must be adhered to by all. If you see any stranger acting suspiciously, if you do not understand the behaviours of someone who is not known to you. Report to the security agencies immediately so that they can take action to prevent any danger’.He stressed.
The Bawku west district chief executive, Issahaku Tahiru Ahmed, welcomed the support from the traditional council with calls for more external support.
‘This is the first of its kind in the district that the traditional authority saw it right to support us in this quantum. We are indeed grateful to them especially the Bawku Naba. This will go a long way to salvage the situation a many fold. We are however calling on all individual, corporate entities, government and non-governmental organizations to emulate the example of the traditional authority so we can adequately take care of our brethren from Burkina Faso. Our biggest prayer though is that the situation normalizes in their country so that they can return home safely. We can feed, cloth and do all in our power for them but there is nowhere like home.’
NADMO says the registration and screening are still ongoing and urged person who are hosting any of the displaced people to reach out to them.
By Peter Quao Adattor
