Four Ghanaian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have received a €400,000 grant from the European Union to help strengthen border security.

The funding is under the Strengthening Border Security in Ghana (SBS Ghana) project, funded by European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF).

The funding will be used by the CSOs to support and contribute to innovative approaches to mobility issues and border management in Ghana.

A statement from SBS Ghana said the four beneficiary organisations emerged as successful applicants from the second Demand Driven Facility Call for Proposals, launched in June 2021.

The four winners are BOK Africa Concern, Ghana Integrity Initiative, University of Education, Winneba and the University of Ghana. Their activities would focus on crosscutting issues ranging from border security, trafficking in human beings, anti-corruption, and counter-violent extremism among others.

The Demand Driven Facility (DDF) is the second component of the SBS Ghana project, which seeks to work closely with civil society organisations, universities, research and training institutions, think tanks, traders’ organisations and media organisations to improve border management.

BOK Africa Concern’s project will tackle migration, trafficking and human smuggling, especially, in the Bono and Bono East Regions. 

The project by researchers from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) will seek to research and implement innovative processes aimed at strengthening border security through training, public education and advocacy in Ghana. 

The Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana will use the funds to research new evidence and reliable data on the nature and forms of trafficking in persons, as well as how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the activities of human traffickers.

The Ghana Integrity Initiative’s project focuses on a holistic view and approach to dealing with migration to Ghana from the sub-region.

ACI Thomas Ewuntomah, acting Head of the Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the Ghana Immigration Service, has commended the four CSOs for winning the funds.

“The Ghana Immigration Service welcomes the initiative and looks forward to more opportunities for increased knowledge sharing. GIS is committed to working together with the beneficiaries as well as all other stakeholders in coming up with innovative approaches on migration and border management in Ghana, for the greater good and security of the country,” he said.