The first batch of approximately 750 Liberian refugees residing at Gomoa Buduburam in the Central Region has departed for their home country.

The refugees, transported in 20 buses accompanied by cargo vehicles carrying their personal belongings, are part of the group whose structures were recently demolished by traditional rulers at Gomoa Buduburam.

This group forms part of a total of 4,300 Liberian refugees scheduled to return home between May and June this year.

The repatriation is part of the Liberia Refugee Repatriation Resettlement Commission's plans to bring their citizens back from the camp.

The Buduburam camp, established by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1990, housed more than 12,000 Liberian refugees who fled their country during the first Liberian civil war (1989-1996) and the second civil war (1999-2003).

It also sheltered Sierra Leonean refugees who fled their country's civil war from 1991-2002.

At a pre-departure ceremony last week, Liberia's Deputy Minister of Legal Affairs, Jeddi Armah, who led a government delegation to Ghana, stated that the return of the refugees would bring closure to their presence in Ghana.

"We have had fruitful engagements and discussions with the Ghanaian government throughout this period, and they have been giving us the necessary and needed support to undertake this exercise," Mr Armah said.

He urged the refugees to seize the opportunity to return to Liberia, highlighting that the government had made provisions for their smooth repatriation and stay.

Mr. Armah emphasized that the camp, initially established as a temporary haven during the war, could no longer serve as a long-term residence.

He encouraged the refugees to view the repatriation as a renewal process with opportunities to rebuild the Liberia they envisioned.

Mr Armah also expressed gratitude to the government and people of Ghana for hosting his compatriots during their time of need and distress.