Minister calls for vigilance at nation's entry points

Hamile (U/W), May 31, GNA - Mr. Martin Amidu, Minister of the Interior, has appealed to security personnel operating at the country's entry points to block all unapproved routes, to prevent people from illegally entering Ghana.

He said the existence of these unapproved exits was denying Government of revenue that could be used for national development. Mr Amidu was addressing personnel of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at the Hamile Border Post, during a visit to the border on Friday. He said that Government recognized the significant impact of revenue generated from these entry points to the national budget. Mr Amidu said that Hamile Border Post served as a major entry point for the peoples of both Ghana and neighbouring Burkina Faso and asked security personnel to ensure that only legal immigrants entered Ghana. The Minister indicated that Government had formed a new Border Demarcation Committee to ensure the proper demarcation of all borders across the country.

He called on the security personnel to be disciplined and to maintain the Hamile Post as a safe exit, to protect the territorial integrity of Ghana.

He noted that Ghana was moving into an oil economy and Government needed peace to be able to develop the country with oil revenue, adding that no nation could develop under an atmosphere of insecurity. Mr Amidu said that Government was committed to improving the working conditions of security personnel, including the provision of vehicles, to enhance their operations. "Government would particularly resource security personnel operating at the country's borders adequately to enable them to work effectively."

He said the Ministry was holding discussions with some of the country's development partners to provide the Service with communication equipment for the networking of all Immigration Offices, to enhance the proper preservation of vital information.

Mr Ernest Dickson, Hamile Sector Commander of the GIS, complained about the interference of residents with the work of security personnel and the porous nature of the border, and appealed to the Minister to do something about the situation.

Mr Dickson commended the Minister for the visit and gave the assurance that personnel at the post would work harder to generate more revenue to enable Government to deliver its better Ghana agenda. Addressing personnel of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service, later, Mr Amidu promised that Government would supply them with logistics. He said that 40 per cent of the affordable houses Government was putting up with the assistance of the South Korean Government, would be allocated to security agencies to solve the problem of inadequate accommodation.