The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in collaboration with the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) has commenced a three-day technical conference on strengthening regional partnerships for effective border management.
This is a Strengthening Border Security in Ghana (SBS) project funded by the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, which aims to enhance Ghana’s Border Security by building capacity and improving regional cooperation, with the end goal of reducing irregular migration and cross-border crimes.
The event will serve as a platform for Regional Stakeholders to discuss and plan future border security initiatives.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Accra yesterday, Wednesday November 13, 2024, the Comptroller-General of GIS, Mr. Kwame Esuah Takyi, highlighted the critical role of international collaboration in enhancing Ghana’s border security.
The GIS, according to Mr. Takyi, had made strides in combating security threats such as smuggling, human trafficking, and terrorism.
Under this project, the GIS have received resources including motorbikes, document verification devices, and PPEs, which have bolstered its capacity to handle threats effectively, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Takyi underscored that the project has enhanced GIS’s ability to curb irregular migration. “Our officers are now better trained, and our border posts are well-equipped to handle the security challenges we face,” he said.
“Recent donations, including motorbikes, communication devices, and ballistic helmets, have significantly improved GIS’s operational capacity at border points.
“Additionally, the project has facilitated the creation of training materials and a contingency plan for health pandemics, counter-terrorism, and handling mass migrations”, he added.
Mr Takyi emphasised the importance of regional cooperation, referencing a communique signed by Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Burkina Faso in 2021 to promote collective border management.
He reaffirmed GIS’s commitment to strengthen its partnerships across the region, noting that “effective border management requires an inclusive and sustainable approach, especially as we face evolving global threats.”
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Irchad Ramiandrasoa Razaaly, praised the GIS and its dedicated officers for their front-line role in securing the nation’s borders against various security threats.
He emphasised that in today’s interconnected world, effective border management was vital for shared security. Notably, the project has fostered crucial partnerships between Ghana and neighbouring countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Burkina Faso.
He lauded the joint commitment of West African nations in combating regional instability and insecurity, which has been a significant challenge over the last 15 years.
Highlighting the achievements of the SBS project, the ambassador noted that over 700 GIS officers had received training in areas such as contingency planning, counter-terrorism, human trafficking prevention, and document verification.
Through the SBS initiative, the EU has contributed to enhanced inter-agency cooperation, including the creation of joint mobile teams with standard operating procedures that streamline collaboration between border security agencies.
The ambassador also highlighted the EU’s extensive cooperation with Ghana across 30 security-related projects, ranging from conflict prevention to defense initiatives.
He mentioned the delivery of over 100 armoured vehicles to the Ghana Armed Forces as part of ongoing security support, with more resources in the pipeline.
While this ceremony marked the official conclusion of the SBS project, the EU Ambassador stressed that this milestone is merely the beginning of a longer chapter of collaboration.
The EU, he announced, is preparing a new €7 million program focused on border management at the regional level, which is set to begin in 2025.
This upcoming initiative will involve further training, provision of equipment, and advisory support for GIS and other West African countries, underscoring the EU’s strong commitment to strengthening security in the sub-region.
