For more than two decades Liberian refugees have made a home in Ghana, a result of the civil war — which lasted from 1989 -2003 — in their homeland. Now, according to a CCTV Africa report, some Liberian have opted to stay in the country and accept a one-time cash disbursement provided by the International Organization for Migration, the Ghana Refugee Board and the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNCR). Other Liberian refugees are very hopeful that housing and aid from outside organizations and foreign countries will contribute to their sustainability in Liberia.

“I must emphasize that they are under obligation to respect the laws of Ghana. The protection that they used to get as refugees under the 1951 UN convention — the protection of persons of consent — will not be available to them any longer,” Kenneth Dzirasah, Ghana Refugee Board chairman said. “They will be treated just like any other citizen or resident of the country.”

“We’ve been here for 24 years and the international community has been funding this camp. So if UNCR can ask countries to provide money to build houses fro Liberia, I believe they will send the money,” Samuel McCarthy, a Liberian refugee living in Ghana’s Buduburam camp said.

CCTV Africa reported that cash grants will be anywhere from US$400 to $2,400.