By Emmanuel Gamson
Elubo (W/R), Nov. 12, GNA – Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, the Minister for the Interior, has reiterated the need to strengthen cooperation at all levels of border security management between Ghana and neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire.
He said the move would promote peace, stability, and favourable atmosphere for inter-border relations, social and economic benefits, and safeguard the western frontiers.
He said: “Historical circumstances have separated us, but our borders should rather be a bridge to strengthen our relations and promote our common interest and aspirations.”
He said this when he visited the Noe Border in Cote d’Ivoire as part of his tour of the Elubo Border to assess security situation and border operations management.
The visit formed part of his three-day working tour of the Western Region to engage key stakeholders on issues of security and public safety within the region.
He was accompanied by Mr Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, regional heads of security agencies under the Ministry, and officials from the Ministry among others.
On arrival at Noe, the Minister was met by Commissioner Alisa Gonkapieu, the Second In- Command of Immigration, Noe Border, and inspected a quarter guard held in his honour.
Alhaji Muntaka told the Ivorian border Command that his tour to the Elubo-Noe border was to strengthen cross – border collaboration and forge synergies to tackle common issues between Ghana and La Côte d’Ivoire.
He identified a lack of coordination as a primary concern especially, on the closing times for border operations on the two sides, noting that one country extending operational hours without the other would create inefficiencies.
The Interior Minister, therefore, proposed that Ghana and her Ivorian counterparts should discuss and agree on a unified operations systems to help boost the economies of the two West African neighbours.
“The borders should be a bridge between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire for our mutual benefits while, we synchronise our schedules including intelligence sharing,” Alhaji Muntaka added.
Colonel Felix Tah Adou, Commander of Customs and Border Controls at the Noe Border, noted that security agencies in Ghana had maintained a closed relationship with them on issues of border security.
He stated that Ghana and Ivorian Customs and Immigration Services had worked together to achieve shared goals, saying; “Even the local workers on the border recognise the two countries as one family.”
On the extension of operational hours, Col. Adou said effective decision making often rested with high level ministerial collaboration and prayed that Ghana-Ivorian collaboration would grow stronger for their mutual interest.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga /Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Emmanuel Gamson