VIOLENCE IN BUDUBURAM REFUGEE CAMP IN GHANA: FORMS, SOURCES, AND CONSEQUENCES

Abstract

The study applies descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis to investigate the forms, sources, consequences, and socio-economic factors influencing violence in the Buduburam Refugee Camp in Ghana. The study was conducted in the Buduburam refugee camp in Ghana with a sample of 100 refugee households selected randomly. Findings showed that most refugees had experienced violence in the camp. Physical abuse of women and children by adult men, fear and intimidation from armed robbers and violent groups, and beating, kicking, slapping, and striking with an object were identified as the major forms of violence. The major source of violence was disagreement over camp leadership. The majority of the refugees suggested that violence resulted in police arrest. The study revealed that establishing more United National High Commissioner for Refugee branch offices around the camps, increasing police presence and patrol, training refugees in negotiation and conflict management, handling issues of sexual violence with more seriousness, and encouraging understanding, tolerance, and commitment to peaceful coexistence were proposed measures that could reduce violence in the camp. Results from the logistic regression estimation indicated that age, gender, household income, household size, household head, years of formal education, and occupation significantly predicted the chances of experiencing violence in the camp.

Keywords

• violence
• refugees
• refugee camp
• logistic regression
• buduburam
• ghana