The International Organization on Migration has handed over a renovated Namoo Border Post, to the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ministry of the Interior, at a brief ceremony at Namoo, in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region.
The International Organization on Migration (IOM) executed this renovation and improved border post with funding from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the Government of the United States of America.
Aside from the Namoo Border Post, the International Organization on Migration has also renovated the Pulmakom and Mognori Border Posts in the Upper East under its ‘Strengthening the Northern Borders of Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo Project’, and these posts are expected to render improved migration services for the travelling public.
Under the IOM’s ‘Strengthening the Northern Borders of Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo Project, the beneficiary border posts are supposed to be equipped to handle efficient Migration Information, for which reason some 20 system administrators and end users have been trained to play various roles in Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) to help manage these posts effectively.
All the improved border posts now have decent water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facility to be used by both border officials and the public. This facility and the improved operations at the borders are meant to ensure a humane experience by immigrants at any border.
The Deputy Interior Minister and MP for the Gomoa Central Constituency in the Central Region, Naana Eyiah Quansah in an address commended the IOM and the government of the United States of America for their contributions towards improving border security in Ghana, adding that the government of Ghana is equally committed to investing in infrastructure, technology and most importantly the training and well-being of border security personnel, including officers of the Ghana Immigration Service.
She noted that the installation of Migration Information and Data Analysis Systems is an indication of Ghana’s improved border management capabilities.
According to Hon. Eyiah Quansah the Hamile and Kulungugu border posts are already benefiting from an installed Migration Information and Data Analysis System, thereby making the collection of travelers information, processing, storage and analyzing these data faster and easy for both the traveler and border officials, thereby ensuring a decent border experience across Ghana’s borders.
“… we are ushering in a new era of intelligent border management, which will streamline all processes for legitimate travelers’ and cargo information gathering and storage, thereby reducing the waiting time and fostering economic activities.” The Deputy Interior Minister noted.
Senior Programmes Manager at the International Organization Migration, Nnamdi Iwuora, said the time has for all sovereign countries to secure their territories, and considering the recent security unrest in some West African countries, the IOM is committed towards supporting Ghana to secure its borders and the safety and dignity of travelers.
According to him, the IOM intervention is aimed at changing the way travelers are processed at the borders from manual to electronic system through the MIDAS (Migration Information and Data Analysis System), as well as giving the traveler a decent experience at the border post.
Nnamdi Iwuora believes that border communities play significant roles in protecting a country’s border, hence the International Organization on Migration’s decision to continue supporting residents with livelihood empowerment initiatives so as to motivate them to be vigilant in protecting their source of income and also be interested in border security.
Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Kwame Asuah Takyi, was happy to take over the new Namoo Border Post and other renovated border post in the Upper East Region, saying the swiftness that comes with efficient and effective operations will ensure free and faster movement of travelers and goods across at the beneficiary borders, which is good for social and economic growth.
The Ghana Immigration Service boss, assured that the improvement in the operations at the beneficiary border posts would help in obstructing the movement of criminals and terrorists and also ensure that the necessary health precautions at checked at the various posts.
“… together with our key stakeholders, we will secure our borders and manage migration efficiently for the economic development of Ghana.” Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service said.
He assured that the Ghana Immigration Service will put in place measures to maintain the building and all items that form the Migration Information and Data Analysis System, so as to serve Ghana for a long time.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih who witnessed the handing over, called on the border officials to make good use of the improved border posts to ensure free and easy movement of persons and goods across the borders.
By Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Namoo border