The Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Dzifa Gomashie, has appealed to President Akufo-Addo to urge President Faure Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Togo to open the land borders. 

She lamented that though Ghana has opened its land borders, it’s Togolese counterpart has refused to open its side of the boundary, despite the ECOWAS directive to the contrary. 

Speaking at a sensitization programme in Aflao on the reaffirmation of the international borderlines of both countries, she urged President Akufo-Addo to use his position as the ECOWAS Chairman and appeal to Togo to obey the directive. 

“I want to use this platform and this opportunity to appeal to His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, that Your Excellency, use your position as the Chairman of ECOWAS, appeal to His Excellency President Faure Gnassingbé Eyadéma to open the other side of the border, so my people can get access to their livelihoods”, she said. 

She lamented that most livelihoods of residents in her jurisdiction and that of border communities in Togo are affected by the continuous closure of the border. 

She indicated that the clarification that the boundaries would only be reaffirmed and re-demarcated as speculated, has allayed the fears that the exercise would antagonize any group of people.  

Madam Gomashie lauded the work of the committee in ensuring that the international borderlines of Ghana and Togo are clearly visible to prevent conflict and cross border crimes. 

He entreated people in the border communities in both Ghana and Togo to endeavor to sustain their cultural values and heritage, which “binds us together”, irrespective of the international boundaries. 

She expressed hope that the reaffirmation exercise would not bring division but bind both countries together “to recognize the strength that each country brings to the table and which ultimately benefits our people”.