ACCRA, Ghana, May 28 (UPI) -- Authorities in Ghana are working to address a potential flood of refugees in the country's northeast who fled a long running conflict over land disputes.
Ghanaian President John Atta Mills and Togolese national security coordinator Gbevlo Lartey among other top government authorities recently met to discuss the return of people who fled violence in Bawku, Ghana.
Ongoing disputes in northeastern Ghana have sparked violent clashes between residents and migrants that led to thousands of refugees fleeing to neighboring Togo.
The U.N. Refugee Agency has been working to coordinate the refugees' return with tents, food and security. IRIN, a humanitarian news service, reported that the Ghanaian government has agreed to set up shelters that will support the return of 1,000 refugees from Togo.
Awurabena Hutchful, a U.N. Refugee Agency representative in Ghana, called the situation an emergency and suggested that the "sooner a coordinated response can be taken, the better."
There are more than an estimated 3,200 refugees in Togo. The figure is disputed by the Ghanaian government.
