By Michael Pepsin Avorgah, GNA
Aflao (V/R), Sept. 22, GNA – The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Aflao Sector Command, has intensified surveillance and community engagements along unapproved crossing points in the Ketu South Municipality to detect and prevent irregular migration into Ghana.
The latest engagement, organised by the Public Affairs Department of the Aflao Sector Command, covered the Duta Electoral Area including Gakli, Kologa and adjoining communities stretching from the Pillar 6 area to the Railway unapproved crossing points.
The engagement sought the support and cooperation of community members to help the Service detect, prevent and deter irregular migrants entering the country through unapproved routes, particularly those who subsequently become destitute and depend on communities and Zongo leaders for assistance.
DCOI Mark Asamoah-Boakye, the Aflao Sector Commander, has been leading intensified surveillance and community engagements as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the Service and communities along the border.
The Service has also established a Community Prevention Forum (CPF) dialogue platform under its Community Engagement and Policing (CEP) Strategy to provide a channel for communities to share information and support efforts to prevent irregular migration and related activities.
The community engagement forms part of efforts to detect and prevent the infiltration of destitute migrants who end up as street beggars in Ghana.
Some such migrants have ended up becoming a burden on Zongo chiefs and other community members who provide them with shelter, food and other assistance.
Others, particularly vulnerable migrants, have also been exposed to exploitation and abuse after the employment opportunities promised them failed to materialise.
The situation has made community cooperation an important component of efforts to identify people entering the country through unapproved routes and prevent them from falling into vulnerable circumstances.
In 2026 alone, the Aflao Sector Command intercepted and repatriated numerous irregular migrants as part of intensified border surveillance.
Persons involved in facilitating the unlawful entry of migrants have also been arrested and prosecuted before the Denu Circuit Court, where some have been convicted.
The Service has therefore continued to encourage residents in communities close to the border to provide timely information on suspicious movements and activities that could assist security personnel in preventing irregular entry.
At the Duta engagement, community members welcomed the initiative and pledged their support for the Ghana Immigration Service in its efforts to detect and prevent irregular migration.
They also welcomed the Community Prevention Forum as a platform for dialogue and collaboration between the Service and communities under the Community Engagement and Policing Strategy.
The Aflao Sector Command said sustained cooperation between border communities and the Immigration Service remained important in detecting irregular movement, protecting vulnerable persons and strengthening security along the country’s border.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah