Ghana Immigration Service launches project to strengthen West African border security

The €7.3 million European Union-funded SHIFT project, implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development ICMPD, aims to address security challenges in West Africa, including porous borders, terrorism spillover from the Sahel, transnational organized crime, socio-economic constraints, and limited state presence in some border communities. The 48-month project seeks to combat violent extremism, terrorism, and transnational organized crime by strengthening and harmonizing Integrated Border Management practices to enhance national and regional security, promote economic growth, and foster cross-border cooperation. The project is being implemented in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo, with Burkina Faso participating in regional-level interventions.

Key stakeholders include national border agencies, security institutions, civil society organizations, border communities, and citizens. CGI Samuel Basintale Amadu reaffirmed the Ghana Immigration Service’s commitment to working with partners to strengthen border security. Amala Obiokoye Nwalor, Head of Office of ICMPD, highlighted the need to integrate the GIS Information Exchange Mechanism within the Service and e