The African Union has set an ambitious target to delimit all inter-state borders by end of 2017.

The target notwithstanding, the union is still concerned about the activities of boko haram and other criminals who might breach security in member countries.

On the occasion of Africa Border Day, June, 7,  set aside by the union to foster African Unity through the delimitation and demarcation of borders, the Director of Ghana's Immigration, Felix Yaw Sarpong, in a statement reiterated the need to build solid infrastructure along Ghana's boundaries.

The African Union Border Programme [AUBP] was launched in 2007 with the intention to strengthen cross-border cooperation and build capacity.

The statement said: "The proper demarcation of borders is very crucial for peace, security and stability on the continent hence the setting up of the AUBP."

"It is said that good fences make good neighbours, nonetheless the AU seeks to integrate the continent thereby transforming Barriers into Bridges. This new phenomenon is evident in the creation of the Joint-Border project at Noepe where Border officials of both Ghana and Togo work hand in hand," the statement added.

 

Read the full statement as follows

On the occasion of the celebration of African Border Day, a day set aside by the Commission of the African Union to be celebrated by the 54 Member States every year on 7^th June, I wish to reiterate the need to build solid infrastructure along our boundaries as a country.

The African Union Border Programme [AUBP] was launched in 2007 with the intention of fostering African Unity through the Delimitation and Demarcation of Borders, Strengthening Cross-Border Cooperation and building Capacity.

The proper demarcation of borders is very crucial for peace, security and stability on the continent hence the setting up of the AUBP. It is said that good fences make good neighbours, nonetheless the AU seeks to integrate the continent thereby transforming Barriers into Bridges. This new phenomenon is evident in the creation of the Joint-Border project at Noepe where Border officials of both Ghana and Togo work hand in hand.

The African Union has set for itself an ambitious target of having all inter-state borders delimited and demarcated by 2017.

This year’s theme “African Year of Human Rights with a special focus on the rights of women” is quite instructive. With about eight armed conflicts on the continent, we are well aware that those who would suffer are mostly women and children. They are the ones most likely to cross borders to safety therefore border officials need to protect them from abuse and extend humanitarian support.

We also have on our hands a situation where a lot of our ladies are heading to the Gulf States in search of greener pastures with a number of them returning only to narrate harrowing stories. Similarly, the terrorist group, Boko Haram has also taken to abducting women and girls and in some cases using them as suicide bombers.

It is therefore incumbent on border officials to make the borders a safe area for legitimate travellers and also ensure that the borders are not breached by criminals. We need to place impediments in the way of criminally-minded persons and also ensure that our operations at the borders serve as a deterrent to criminals.

In the wake of 9/11, most countries have introduced the use of technology and military accoutrement in securing their borders.

There is therefore the urgent need for an aggressive development of Ghana’s border infrastructure to meet international standards and to better secure our boundaries. God bless our homeland Ghana.

 

DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION