The Ghana Refugee Board was established by the provisions of section 4 of 1992 Ghana Refugee Law 305D by the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
H.E. John Dramani Mahama
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
Hon. Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka (MP)
MINISTER FOR THE INTERIOR
GRB CHAIRMAN
Mr. Tetteh Kwao Padi
GRB EXECUTIVE SECRETARYThe Board is the decision making body and there is a Secretariat, which advises the Board and implements the Board’s decisions. Ghana Refugee Board works with UNHCR, to coordinate international protection and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to asylum seekers and refugees in the country.
Dedicated to provide world class services that will ensure efficient and effective protection, rehabilitation and resettlement of refugees.
The Board exists as the lead agency coordinating all activities relating to the protection of refugees and the professional resolution of refugee problems in the country to ensure national security and enhance good governance.
The primary objectives of the board are to receive refugees/asylum seekers, determine their status, provide shelter and generally protect/safeguard their rights and well-being. Towards this end, the Board:
• Formulates, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates asylum policies and programs.
• Provides institutional capacity and enabling environment for effective, sufficient and sustainable delivery or services relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
When refugees arrive in the Ghana, it is the Refugee Board's responsibility to ensure their wellbeing, as per its mandate.
It is the Refugee Board's responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of refugees and asylum seekers in Ghana, as per its mandate. The board also cooperates with other agencies to carry out its mandate. It partners with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other state agencies such as National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to assist refugees and asylum seekers.
Read MoreThe Ghana Refugee Board is tasked with coordinating all activities relating to the management and care of refugees in Ghana. It is the sole agency mandated to grant refugee status to persons seeking asylum in the country.
The GRB generally manages the refugee programme in Ghana. In order to ensure that Government is abreast with all activities and issues in the refugee programme, the GRB signs an annual tripartite project sub-agreement with UNHCR and implementing partners.
The Ghana Refugee Board is charged with the management of activities relating to refugees in Ghana. It is under the control of the Ministry of the Interior. Any person or group of persons who intends to visit any of the refugee camps must contact the Ghana Refugee Board for a written permission before visiting any of the camps.
Kwao, 54 years old: “Memories are all that reminds me of what life was back in Cote d’Ivoire, memories that I hold dear but look meaningless now. I miss everything about home. I miss my frequent trips between Alepe, my hometown and Abidjan. In Alepe, a town just 60km away from Abidjan; I was a landowner.
Seamstress Adel, 58 years old: “Back in Cote d’Ivoire, I was a trader and a seamstress. I also run a restaurant. I loved engaging people and these activities gave me the opportunity to meet lots of them. In my shop, I sold bags, jewelries, shoes and dresses. Most of my customers were people from the community and they were friendly. However, there were a couple of others, who will intentionally get on your nerves.
mother-cook-traderBona, 33 years old: “Cooking is one of my greatest passions; I never get tired of cooking. I always prepare foods for my family and friends who come over to visit. However, not too long ago I started enterprising my skills. One day, a friend who had come to visit me suggested I market my skills and prepare something for sale.
Husband-journalist-farmer Ferdi, 39 years old: “As a child, I knew I had the talent for talking and entertaining people. My parents, siblings and friends were always amused about the things I said. In school, I was mostly found standing in front of my class during break time and when our teachers don’t turn up for classes, to imitate our teachers and talk about anything that came to mind.
By GRB |20 MAY 2025
Following the implementation of the Cessation Clause for Ivorian refugees, those who believed they had stronger social and economic ties in Ghana than in their country of origin were given the opportunity to remain in Ghana under an alternative legal status. A brief ceremony to hand over the passports to the Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire took place at the office of the Honourable Minister for the Interior.
By Hafsa Obeng, GNA |19 June 2024
As part of the activities to commemorate World Refugees Day 2024, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) and the Ghana Refugees Board (GRB) have organised a clean-up exercise and free health screening. The exercise is to create awareness and highlight the resilience and positive contributions of refugees to their host communities. Mr Stephen Amoani, Protection Officer, GRB, said by engaging in community service, it was a demonstration by the refugees on their willingness to give and integrate into their new environments. It is part of the “Refugees Giving Back”.The clean-up exercise, which started from the Kwame Nkrumah Overhead through the Ring Road of Accra, was under the theme “Solidarity with Refugees”.
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By GRB |07 December 2023
The Global Compact on Refugees is a framework for more predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing, recognizing that a sustainable solution to refugee situations cannot be achieved without international cooperation. It provides a blueprint for governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure that host communities get the support they need and that refugees can lead productive lives. It constitutes a unique opportunity to transform the way the world responds to refugee situations, benefiting both refugees and the communities that host them.