By By: Alphanso G. Kalama,
Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia Refugees Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) has commenced the payment of reintegration cash benefits for the final batch of 1,539 Liberian returnees who were repatriated from Ghana between May and June 2024. This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to bringing home Liberian citizens who had sought refuge in Ghana since the start of the Liberian civil war, which ended in 2003.
The Commission has been working with other government ministries, including the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, to ensure the successful reintegration of Liberians returning to contribute to national development.
LRRRC along with other line ministries of government including the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning During the Cash Disbursement in Johnsonville Transit Center
During the disbursement at the Johnsonville LRRRC Transit Center, Deputy Executive Director for Administration Armah Karneh, head of the payment team, noted that the ongoing payments include those from the first and second batches of Liberians who did not receive reintegration cash benefits during the first phase of the payment process in July 2024. He further stated that all registered returnees at the Johnsonville Transit Center would be paid within three days. Each family head will receive US$300, while dependents will receive US$225 each.
One of the beneficiaries, identified only as Josephine, expressed her gratitude and excitement, praising the Liberian government for this initiative. She stated that she plans to use the US$300 she received as a household head to start a small business.
“I just want to thank the Liberian government. With this money, I can start a small business,” she asserted.
Smiling with satisfaction, Madam Josephine and other returnees were seen receiving part of their payment in Liberian dollars, with 50% provided in United States dollars.
In May and June, the government of Liberia repatriated 1,539 of its citizens from Ghana due to the demolition of the Buduburam camp, where they had been seeking refuge since the Liberian civil unrest in the 1990s. Following the demolition, Ghanaian authorities issued a 30-day ultimatum for the Liberian government to repatriate its citizens.
