Minister for Interior, Ambrose Dery, says the government will consider the option of re-opening Ghana’s land borders depending on the security situation within the sub-region and the advice from health experts over the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to him, government is committed to reopening the borders, however, because the country does not want to risks a third wave and additionally the security in some states are in turmoil, it is being careful before making any decision.

Speaking on the floor of parliament, Mr Dery said “Indeed in Burkina Faso, about 75% of the country is not under the full control of security agencies and it affects other countries as well. The security situation is not stable and there are security concerns. But I can assure you that this government is committed to opening the borders."

"Before the President came in, our borders were opened for 12 hours, [but] we opened them for 24 hours because we know what the benefits are. So, we look forward to opening the borders as soon as those two factors, security and Covid-19, are under control,” he added.

The President announced the closure of land borders in March 2020 when some parts of the country went into lockdown in the heart of the pandemic.

The borders have, however, remained closed since then. 

Recently some Ghanaians including Member of Parliament for Jomoro Constituency, Dorcas Affo-Toffey urged the government to reopen and regularize land border crossing at key entry points across border twins.

However, Mr Dery said that neighbouring countries have also shut their borders thus, it would be better for Ghana to open its borders in consultation with neighbouring countries in the sub-region.

Responding to a question on the floor by MP for Jomoro, Dorcas Toffey the sector Minister told Parliament that Ghana’s land borders are open for import and export of goods.

“It should be put on record that the borders are however opened for import and export of goods. As of 23rd June 2021, 144,719 trucks crossed our land borders,” he said. 

Mr Dery added that heads of states in the sub-region are consulting continually to see how they can work together to stabilise the system for return to normalcy.