West African Security Agencies urged to strengthen cooperation
By Selorm GBORBIDZI, Accra
In a call for regional collaboration, Kwame Essuah-Takyi, the Comptroller General of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), has urged West African border security agencies to strengthen their cooperation.
This appeal comes in response to the escalating challenges faced by West African states in managing their borders, including issues such as inadequate infrastructure, illegal crossing points, migration data management, and the presence of trafficking rings.
Essuah-Takyi acknowledged the persistent nature of these challenges, describing them as “common perennial challenges.”
He emphasized the urgency of coordinated action, highlighting that shared efforts are crucial for ensuring national security, facilitating trade, and promoting regional integration.
The Comptroller General expressed concern that the situation has been further complicated by the activities of violent extremist groups, which have exploited the porous borders of the region to engage in illegal activities.
“The emergence of violent extremism has deepened the aspirations of extremist groups or individuals to spread instability, particularly in our northern neighbors. Our porous borders have unfortunately made it too easy for criminals to cross into our countries illegally,” stated Essuah-Takyi.
He called for West African states to unite in addressing these overlapping challenges that threaten the security of the entire region.
Head of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) West Africa Region, Mojisola Sodeinde described a regional workshop as a tangible sign of commitment to effective migration management and border security in West Africa.
She underscored the significance of robust border management, emphasizing its impact on national security, trade facilitation, and regional unity.
The workshop, held on Wednesday, aims to build on the progress made during the inaugural session in 2021.
Attendees are focused on addressing current challenges, sharing best practices, exchanging knowledge, and enhancing collective resilience in border management.
Sodeinde expressed gratitude to the European Union (EU) and the Danish government for their commitment to border security in the sub-region.
Ana Lixi, Team Leader, Governance, and Security at the EU Delegation to Ghana, emphasized the workshop’s role in identifying and elaborating on valid responses to the region’s needs.
Lixi highlighted the importance of collaboration and the exchange of ideas as crucial contributions to building more secure and resilient countries.
She pledged the continuous support of the EU to initiatives that strengthen security while fostering a human rights-based approach across all aspects of border management.
The initiatives discussed, including the Strengthening Border Security in Ghana (SBS-Ghana) and the Danish-supported Strengthening Border and Migration Management in Ghana, reflect a collective resolve toward a safer and more secure future for West Africa.
The workshop signifies a progressive stride in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by states in the region.
