Ghana–Togo border now opened 24/7

The border between Ghana and Togo at Aflao in the Volta Region is now being operated on a 24-hour basis throughout the week, Immigration sources have revealed to 3News.

It followed a bilateral agreement between the two countries, which was championed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The border was closed 10:00 pm daily by immigration authorities; something that was seen as impeding movement of people, goods and services between Ghana and Togo.

The new move to operate the border 24/7 is thus geared towards promoting regional cohesion and economic development.

President Akufo-Addo during his tour of Togo in March this year advocated the opening of the border 24/7 to boost trade and tourism, while ensuring that the people of the two nations reaped the economic benefits thereof.

“A functional common regional market in ECOWAS has to be a very fundamental objective of all our people and governments of the region. It is for this reason that I am very much for the 24 hour opening of the borders between our two countries,” he told Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé.

“The opening of our borders will give true meaning to the ECOWAS Protocols on Free Movement of Goods and Persons, and will spur on progress and prosperity for our people,” he added.

President Akufo-Addo noted that it was extremely important for the welfare of the 350 million people living in West Africa, that its leaders showed strong political will to make ECOWAS an economic and political success, and to make the integration real.

“I am fully committed, and I know President Faure Gnassingbé is too. With West Africa’s population set to reach some 500 million people in 20 years’ time, there are immense opportunities to bring prosperity to our region with enterprise and creativity.

“The time for West African integration is now. Ghana and Togo should take the lead in converting ECOWAS into a true regional market, and, indeed, in helping to facilitate the wider efforts at continental integration and unity,” he added.