The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s border security through the deployment of artificial intelligence and modern technology to enhance surveillance, intelligence gathering and the operations of security agencies.
He said the ongoing transformation of the country’s security architecture would equip security personnel with the necessary tools to tackle cross-border crimes, including smuggling, drug trafficking and other emerging security threats.
The Minister made the remarks during a working visit to the Elubo Border in the Western Region to assess security arrangements and the management of operations at Ghana’s major entry point with neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire.
The visit formed part of his familiarisation tour of the region, aimed at interacting with security personnel, inspecting facilities and identifying operational challenges confronting officers at the country’s frontiers.
Addressing the media after the tour, Mr Muntaka highlighted several technology-driven interventions being introduced to improve security operations, including Traffitech, the African Continental Free Trade Area Customs System (AfCASS), the National Customs Analysis Bureau (NCAB) and the electronic visa system.
“We are currently transforming the security system with a lot of AI and technology because we believe that technology can help us to do a lot more,” he said.
He added that the various electronic systems were intended to enhance the effectiveness of security personnel and strengthen coordination among agencies.
The Minister emphasised that border security required a collective effort, describing the government’s approach as a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” responsibility.
“It’s not something that one unit can just do and solve. All of us have to come together. And I’m happy to say when I came, I realised that they are collaborating very, very effectively,” he stated.
He commended the security agencies at the Elubo Border for their cooperation, noting that their coordinated efforts were essential to protecting the country’s borders and ensuring public safety.
As part of the tour, the Minister inspected the official crossing point between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, visited an unapproved route and crossed into the neighbouring country to interact with security counterparts.
He explained that the engagements were intended to provide firsthand knowledge of the challenges confronting officers and enable the Ministry to identify areas requiring government intervention.
“Today, by the grace of God, we’ve managed to get to Elubo, to see the crossing point between us and our sister country, La Côte d’Ivoire, ask the commanders the challenges that confront them, see some of the issues ourselves,” he said.
Mr Muntaka added that the visit would help the Ministry make informed decisions when addressing concerns raised by officers at the operational level.
“If there’s something that we need to do, we see them at first hand and appreciate them when they get to Accra and we are acting, we know what to do,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Elubo Border Customs Commander, Grace Mawusi Amexo, said the Customs Division was intensifying efforts to minimise smuggling and drug trafficking through effective collaboration with other security agencies and their counterparts in Côte d’Ivoire.
“We are doing our best to make sure that smuggling and drug trafficking, we eradicate it or minimise it,” she said.
She acknowledged the difficulty in completely eliminating such activities but expressed confidence that sustained cooperation among the agencies would strengthen border control and protect Ghana’s interests.
“But we know with our collaboration with our counterparts, yes, we’ll be able to serve our country, Mother Ghana, very well,” she added.
For his part, the Elubo Border Immigration Commander, Thomas Ewutomah, described the security situation at the crossing point as generally calm, attributing the situation to the strong working relationship among the security agencies.
“Generally, the security situation is calm. We have a very good working relationship amongst agencies, even at the border and across the border,” he said.
He described the Minister’s visit as productive, adding that the interaction with security personnel had been cordial.
The visit underscores the government’s efforts to strengthen border management through technological innovation, improved inter-agency cooperation and closer engagement with frontline security personnel.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
