UNHCR calls on the Government of Ghana to cease these expulsions, which amount to a violation of the non-refoulement principle, and guarantee access to the territory and asylum to nationals of Burkina Faso seeking international protection.

Non-refoulement is a fundamental principle enshrined in international law, which prohibits the return of an asylum seeker or a refugee to countries where his life or freedom would be threatened.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been collaborating with the Government of Ghana to support its efforts to ensure the protection of over 8,000 Burkinabe nationals who sought protection on its territory as a result of the ongoing conflict in their country of origin.

In the framework of this cooperation, a Reception Centre managed jointly by the Ghana Refugee Board and UNHCR with a capacity of 4,000 individuals has been inaugurated in the Upper East Region to relocate Burkinabe refugees away from the border for security reasons.

Ghana has a longstanding history of upholding its international obligations towards refugees, and UNHCR stands ready to support the government to address the needs of Burkinabe nationals fleeing the ongoing conflict.

According to him, the move will prevent the infiltration of terrorists.

“There is every cause for alarm because I worry that if care is not taken terrorists will take advantage of those who genuinely need help and are fleeing Burkina Faso to infiltrate.

“And when they do, it will be difficult for our security agencies to look out for these people and ensure that they do not wreak havoc for this country,” he told JoyNews on Monday.

Some thousands of Burkinabes reportedly fled their country last week, following gun attacks which have left some persons dead.

The foreigners sought refuge in communities including Bansi, Mognori, Sapeliga, Kutanga and Yarigungu in the Binduri, Bawku municipality and Bawku West district.

The Refugee Board has since dispatched a team to the area to assess the situation.

However, Mr Agalga believes government must do more to tighten security.

“It is a serious problem,” he emphasised.