Sunyani (B/A) April 6, GNA - An Ivorian refugee on Wednesday entreated Ghanaians to show compassion and assist him and his compatriots in Ghana with food and basic necessities for their upkeep. Mr Kaluo Manguo, 38, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Sunyani that the on-going political turmoil in La Cote D'Ivoire forced him and his family of five to flee to Ghana. He explained that since their arrival in Sunyani three weeks ago, they had used all the monies on them and were finding it very difficult to get food to eat.

Mr Manguo, who showed his UNHCR refugee card to the GNA reporter, noted with regret that because of the political turmoil many residents in his country were trapped indoors without food, water and electricity.

"This is the main reason I decided to travel with my family to Ghana for a better life," he said in a very sorrowful voice. But explained that, 93Unfortunately, life in Ghana has now become terrible for me."

He said currently he and other refugees had temporarily sought refuge at the premises of the Centre for National Culture in Sunyani. Mr Manguo asked the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as the international community to mediate and bring a lasting peace to Cote D'Ivoire. "Now, I don't see any future for my children because they don't have access to education," Mr Manguo stated.

The Ivorian refugee said he had become so desperate that he could not stay aloof whilst his children continued to live in hunger and appealed to churches and philanthropists for support.