Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary but subject to the provisions of this Law, no person who is a refugee within the meaning of this Law shall be refused entry into Ghana, expelled or extradited from Ghana or returned to the frontiers of any territory if as a result of such refusal,expulsion or return the person is compelled to return to or remain in a country where -
•Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, a person who has applied for recognition as a refugee, and every member of his family shall have the right to remain within Ghana—
•Until the person has been recognized as a refugee; or
•In the event of the application being unsuccessful, until the applicant has had the opportunity to exhaust his right of appeal under section 9; or
•Where an appeal has been dismissed, until the applicant has been allowed a reasonable time not exceeding three months, to seek admission to a country of his choice.
•The Secretary may on an application made to him by the person concerned, extend the period referred to in subsection (1) (c) where he is satisfied that there is a reasonable likelihood of the person being admitted to a country of his choice within the extended period.
A person granted refugee status in Ghana shall be entitled to the rights and be subject to the duties specified in -
◦The articles of the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951 set out in Part I of the Schedule to this Law;
◦The Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees of 1967 set out in Part II of the Schedule to this Law; and
◦The Organisation of African Unity Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa set out in Part III of the Schedule to this Law
1.Every person who has been granted a refugee statues under this Law and the members of his family shall, subject to the provisions of this Law be -
◦Issued with identity cards in the prescribed form;
◦Issued with residence permit;
◦Issued with the United Nations Travel Document where appropriate; and
◦Is subject to all the laws in force in Ghana.
1. A member of the family of a person granted refugee status in Ghana shall subject to the provisions of this Law be permitted to remain in Ghana for as long as the refugee is permitted to remain in Ghana and shall be entitled to the same benefits and right as the refugee.
2. Where a member of the family of the refugee is within Ghana by virtue of subsection (l) and he ceases to be such a family member by reason of his marriage, attainment of age of majority or the cessation of his dependence on the refugee, he shall be permitted to continue to remain in Ghana.
3. Upon the death of the person with refugee statue or upon his divorce or legal separation from a spouse, any person who immediately before the death, divorce or legal separation was within Ghana by virtue of this section as a member of the family of the refugee shall be permitted to continue to remain in Ghana.
4. Any person who has been permitted to remain in Ghana by virtue of subsections (2) or (3) of this section, may apply for a refugee status.
The Secretary may, by notice in the Gazette or by any other means of communication, as he deems appropriate designate places and areas in Ghana where -
◦ Persons with refugee status;
◦ Persons who have applied under this Law for refugee status; and
◦ Members of the families of persons referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, or any class thereof shall be alive.
Subject to the relevant lawsand regulations relating to naturalization, the Board may assist a refugee who has satisfied the conditionsapplicable to the acquisition of Ghanaian nationality to acquire Ghanaian nationality.
Withdrawal of refugee status-
(1) Where at any time the Board considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that a person who has been recognised as a refugee
(a) Should not have been so recognised;
(b) Has ceased to qualify as a refugee for the purposes of this Law, the Board may withdraw the recognition.
(2) A withdrawal of refugee status shall be communicated in writing to the person concerned.
(3) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Board to withdraw his recognition as a refugee, may within fourteen days of being notified of such withdrawal appeal in writing to the Secretary and the decision of the Secretary on it shall be final.
(4) The Secretary may before reaching a decision on an appeal under this section do all or any of the following:
(a) Invite the representative in Ghana of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to make oral or written representation in the master;
(b) Refer the matter back to the Board for further investigation;
(c) Make such further inquiry and investigation as he thinks fit into the matter.
Where the Board has by virtue of section 15 withdrawn the recognition of any person as a refugee, that person shall cease to be a refugee, and any protection granted to members of his family, shall cease with effect from -
(a) 14 days after the date on which the Board notified the person concerned of the withdrawal of recognition; or
(b) Where an appeal has beenlodged with the Secretary under subsection (3) of section 15 the date on which the Secretary notifies him confirming the decision of the Board.
(2) Any member of the family who may be affected by this section may apply for refugee status.
A person shall cease to be a refugee for the purposes of this Law if -
(a) He voluntarily re-avails himself of the protection of the country of his nationality;
(b) He becomes a Ghanaian citizen or acquires the nationality of another country and enjoys the protection of the country of his new nationality;
(c) Voluntarily re-establishes himself in the country which heleft, or outside which he remained owing to his fear of persecution;
(d) He can no longer, because the circumstances in connection with which he was granted a refugee status have ceased to exist, continueto refuse to avail himself of the protection of his country of nationality; except that this paragraph shall not apply to a person who satisfies the Board that he has compelling reasons arising out of previous persecution, for refusing to avail himself of the protection ofhis country of nationality or refusing to return to his country of habitual residence; or
(e) His refugee status is withdrawn.
Any refugee or person claiming to be a refugee who -
(a) Makes any false statement, return or representation to any authorised officer or other person lawfully performing his functions under this Law;
(b) Refuses to produce to an authorised officer or person any document or to furnish him with any information reasonably required of him for the purposes of this Law;
(c) Obstructs any person in the performance of his functions under this Law; or
(d) Alters any certificate or document issued or made under this Law, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ¢10,000.00 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or both.