A House with Two Rooms - The Advocates for Human Rights

[A], you’re still living. We will get you…” 244 One statement giver noted that “Liberians know not to
go out alone, but rather to travel in groups” 245 because of fear of being targeted by Ghanaians. Ethnic
tensions among Liberians, especially targeting those of Krahn ethnicity, remain a problem as well. 246
The Refugee Welfare Council previously hosted county league soccer tournaments, but the matches
between Grand Gedeh (home of the Krahn tribe) and other counties became so heated that intercounty
competitions were discontinued.
Because the Liberian conflict lasted so long, refugees in Buduburam have seen funding for settlement
services ebb and flow, and have had to suffer firsthand the consequences of “donor fatigue.” 247 Support
from UNHCR and other non-governmental organizations continued through the early 1990s; after
Taylor’s election in 1997, however, UNHCR initiated a policy of repatriation. UNHCR funding for most
programs at Buduburam was eliminated, although funding continued for certain programs serving
refugees identified as vulnerable. 248 All services in the camp virtually ceased after the withdrawal of
UNHCR funding, but only a few thousand Liberians were repatriated. 249 Water supply to the camp
ended in 1996. 250 The camp clinic closed in 2000 because of lack of funds, ultimately reopening under
the auspices of a Catholic charity. 251 The implementing partner for the camp school pulled out in 2000
because of lack of funds. 252 The main result of the UNCHR funding withdrawal is that all services in
the camp became fee-based. 253 The overriding complaint from Liberians living in Buduburam is that
life in Ghana was “hard” because they had to pay for everything, including food, water, medical care,
use of the toilet, and school fees. One statement giver told the TRC that “he tries to eat one meal every
day but sometimes does not eat. Everything on the camp costs money.” 254
Wasted Years
Having to pay for these services would not be such a hardship if sufficient employment existed. But
the lack of employment and educational opportunities led many to describe their time in Buduburam
as “wasted” years. 255 Liberians are legally entitled to work in Ghana if they obtain a permit. 256 Even
with the appropriate documents, however, jobs are almost impossible to come by. Subsisting off of
remittances from family and friends abroad, or doing “small, small” work, such as petty trading or
braiding hair, Liberians in the camp try to make ends meet. 257 One woman told the TRC that she
collects discarded plastic water sacs for recycling so as to make some money, but she still has to beg
for food in order to eat. 258
The cycle of missed opportunities is evident to almost everyone. Many cannot afford to send their
children to primary school because they cannot pay the fees. 259 Those who can send their children
realize that they may have limited opportunities in a land where they are foreigners.
Our children who are here are not in school because we don’t have money to
send them. We’re depending on them to rebuild. My children are just sitting
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