World Vision Ghana has called on the government to sustain refugee protection frameworks and strengthen integration pathways to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers are not only safe but are also able to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
The call was made by the Strategy and Integrated Programmes Director of World Vision Ghana, Joshua Baidoo, during the commemoration of World Refugee Day 2026 held at the Akayet Hotel in Bolgatanga under the theme, “Beyond Survival: Ensuring Long-Term Safety, Security, and Co-existence for Refugees.”
Addressing participants, Mr. Baidoo said the growing refugee situation resulting from the conflict in neighboring Burkina Faso requires sustained collaboration among government, humanitarian organizations, development partners, and host communities.
He noted that armed conflict, extremist violence, and climate-related shocks in Burkina Faso have forced thousands of families to seek refuge in Ghana, particularly in communities across the Upper East and Upper West regions.
“The crisis unfolding in Burkina Faso is not a distant tragedy. It is a lived reality. Armed conflict, extremist violence, and climate shocks have driven thousands of families across our northern border. Refugees, particularly children, embody both the urgency and the purpose of our work,” he stated.
According to him, children remain among the most vulnerable groups affected by displacement, often facing interrupted education, heightened risks of abuse, and psychological trauma.
Mr. Baidoo emphasized that World Vision Ghana’s commitment to supporting refugees is rooted in its vision of ensuring that every child experiences the fullness of life.
He mentioned the organization’s interventions through the BORDER Project, funded by PATRIP and implemented in partnership with the Ghana Refugee Board. The project focuses on protection, livelihoods, and social cohesion between refugees and host communities.
He disclosed that World Vision Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana Refugee Board and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), is providing mechanized boreholes in the Tarikom and Zini refugee settlements, expected to deliver more than 500 cubic metres of safe water daily to over 5,000 people.
The project is also supporting the construction of over 54 communal toilets, 90 household toilets, 130 bathing facilities, and other hygiene infrastructure to improve living conditions in the camps.
Additionally, he said the organization has partnered with the World Food Programme to provide cash transfers to more than 5,000 refugee households and supplied over 500 children with clothing and educational materials to support their wellbeing and continued learning.
Mr. Baidoo further revealed that World Vision Ghana has collaborated with private sector partners, including Unilever, to provide oral hygiene kits for refugee children and continues to explore innovative partnerships to address the needs of displaced populations.
“These are not just statistics. They are lifelines. They represent dignity restored, health protected, and hope rekindled, especially for children who deserve to grow up safe, educated, and free,” he stressed.
As part of the World Refugee Day observance, Mr. Baidoo called on the government to maintain and strengthen refugee protection systems while creating opportunities that support long-term integration and self-reliance.
He also appealed to donors and development partners to sustain their support for refugee interventions and commended host communities in the Upper East Region for their generosity and hospitality toward displaced persons.
“To the refugees in our midst, your courage inspires us. Your resilience strengthens us. Your children’s futures are our collective responsibility,” he said.
Providing an update on the refugee situation in the region, the Upper East Regional Coordinator of the Ghana Refugee Board, Sika Agbesi, disclosed that the region currently hosts 5,576 registered refugees, out of whom 2,380 have been relocated to the Tarikom settlement, where they receive various forms of humanitarian assistance.
He appealed to state institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and individuals to support refugee welfare and livelihood programmes.
“We need more people on board. Livelihood support is one of the most sustainable ways of helping refugees become integrated into society and rebuild their lives,” he stated.
Mr. Agbesi explained that the influx of refugees from Burkina Faso began in late 2022, prompting the activation of Ghana’s refugee contingency response plan. Since then, affected individuals have been registered and granted international protection.
The District Chief Executive for the Bawku West District, James Ayamwego, whose district hosts a significant number of refugees, commended World Vision Ghana and its partners for their interventions, noting that the support provided has helped restore dignity and hope to asylum seekers while complementing government efforts.
The World Refugee Day celebration brought together representatives from government institutions, humanitarian agencies, and civil society organizations to reflect on the challenges facing displaced populations and explore sustainable solutions for their protection and integration.
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