General News of Friday, 10 January 2003

Source: GNA

More refugees fleeing Cote D'Ivoire to Ghana

Hundreds of refugees made up of Ghanaians, Burkinabes and Togolese are fleeing the conflict in Cote d'Ivoire through Obengkrom, a border town between Ghana and Cote D'Ivoire.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Dadieso, some of them said the conflict had brought about segregation and deprivation as non-Ivorians are being harassed.

While some of the refugees said they could not trace their homes due to their long stay in Cote D'Ivoire, others expressed sorrow at leaving their farms, casual jobs and personal belongings.

A large number of them, mostly nursing mothers, who looked exhausted and distressed, managed to travel with a few personal belongings.

The situation has created congestion at the Dadieso lorry park for the past week.

Black marketers have also taken advantage of the situation and were briskly changing CFA for cedis.