Toba Owojaiye ReportingÂ
The Ghana Refugee Board (GRB) finds itself in the midst of a controversial situation following a video posted by David Hundeyin on X (formerly Twitter) on September 20, 2023. In the video, which has now amassed over 3.8 million views and 32,500 likes, Hundeyin expressed concerns about his safety and potential deportation from Ghana as a refugee.
The GRB, the authority responsible for safeguarding refugees and asylum seekers in Ghana, convened an Emergency Meeting on September 29 to address the issues raised in the video.
First and foremost, the GRB vehemently denied claims made by Hundeyin regarding Nigerian authorities contacting them for his repatriation to Nigeria. They stated that there is no factual or legal basis for such assertions, asserting that they had never contemplated his repatriation until the video went viral.
Furthermore, the GRB clarified that they have no intentions of repatriating Hundeyin to Nigeria, citing a lack of substantiated evidence to support his fears of refoulement. They urged Hundeyin to abstain from making unverified allegations and potentially defamatory statements against the President of Nigeria from Ghanaian soil, emphasizing the potential political and national security consequences such actions may bring about.
The GRB expressed complete unawareness of Hundeyin’s allegations of criminality against the President of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government, maintaining that their actions are confined within their statutory mandate and in line with international law.
Addressing Hundeyin’s claim about the nature of his travel document, the GRB pointed out that he possesses a United Nations Refugee Convention Travel Document (CTD) rather than a Ghanaian passport.
They assured him that they have no intentions of withdrawing, canceling, or disabling his CTD. However, they reminded him that possessing a CTD doesn’t guarantee entry into any country, as the prerogative to admit or reject an individual rests with the respective nation.
This unfolding situation has potential diplomatic implications, considering the sensitive nature of the allegations made by Hundeyin. The GRB’s response indicates their commitment to upholding their statutory mandate, complying with international law, and maintaining peace in their dealings with refugees and asylum seekers. The situation is sure to attract further attention and scrutiny in the coming days.
