Gbaduak (N/R), May 30, GNA - Mr. Ibrahima Traore, United Nations High Commission for Refugees' (UNHCR), Country Representative in Togo, has said that the UNHCR does not have the actual figure of Ghanaian refugees in the Togolese town of Gbaduak.

He, however, said that on March 18, this year, about 200 Ghanaians entered Togo as refugees but returned to Ghana a few days later. But on April 20, when the conflict in the Bunkpurugu area renewed, the number of refugees in Togo increased. Mr. Traore disclosed this when high-powered government delegations of the two countries met at Gabduak, on Friday, to find amicable solutions to the Ghanaian refugee situation in Togo, which has received international attention.

The Ghanaian delegation was led by the National Security Coordinator Lieutenant Colonel Gbevlo Lartey, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Moses Mabengba, Director General of Police Operations, Deputy Commissioner of Police John Kudalo, while the Togolese delegation included the National Security Minister, Colonel Atcha Titikpina.

Mr. Traore told the GNA that he did not have the number of Ghanaians currently being regarded as refugees in Togo and appealed to Ghanaians who were in Togo to return home because peace had returned to their areas. He said UNHCR, a humanitarian institution, supports distressed people and the Government of Togo supported the refugees from Bunkpurugu with blankets, mats, soap and gari. 30 May 10