Chief Executive for the Ketu South Municipality Elliot Agbenorwu has indicated intensified security presence along the Ghana-Togo border is to help enforce the President’s directive on the closure of the country's borders, following the emergence of the coronavirus in Ghana. 

He said intelligence gathered indicates that some unscrupulous individuals continue to aid persons to enter the country through unapproved routes, hence, the need for a reinforced security presence along the borders. 

This was contained in a press statement issued by Mr Agbenorwu following concerns raised about military and other security officials allegedly intimidating residents in the border communities.

He further indicated that the operations were solely to prevent the importation of potential coronavirus carriers into the municipality, as witnessed earlier in April.

"The initial cases of COVID-19 recorded in the Municipality were all foreigners who were intercepted by the security officials via these porous unapproved routes,” he said.

He added that "it is in our interest to be safe and in good health to ply our trade in tranquility hence the presence of the military and other security officials."

Mr Agbenorwu, therefore, appealed to the residents to  ”remain calm and assist the security to protect us”.

Alleged intimidation and beatings by military 

However, residents in the border communities have alleged that the security officials have deviated from their mission objective, protecting the borders to intimidating and physically abusing them. 

Speaking on a local radio station in Aflao, Chief of Akato-Wodoaba, Torgbui Tortsofia VII, said that he received a report of the security operatives physically abusing 3 commercial motorbikes operators in the area.

"One of the Okada boys said they just stopped and asked him to hold his ears and lip. Before he could realize, one of the security officers hit him at the back. He was actually sandwiched by two officers and beaten," he narrated. 

He also said the officers were visiting households asking occupants where they come from among other details, without duly introducing themselves and stating their objectives in the area. 

The chief lamented the situation and appealed to the appropriate authorities to call the security operatives to order.