ICMPD, GIS hold seminar on border security

IN collaboration with the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) has organised a validation meeting in Accra on the Joint Mobile Team concept, an important step in strengthening a whole of government approach to border management and security.

The event focused on presenting the Joint Mobile Teams (JMT) Concept and its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to other Government of Ghana agencies.

This exercise marked a significant step in advancing inter-agency collaboration in securing Ghana’s border, in line with the objectives of the Strengthening Border Security (SBS) project funded by the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.

The workshop brought together over 30 key stakeholders from key government institutions, as well as representatives from various border security and management agencies; such as the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Revenue Authority – Customs Division, Ghana Police Service, National Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Commission, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Integration and the Ghana Boundary Commission.

The validation exercise provided an interactive platform for participants to assess the draft JMT concept and SOPs, amend sections, and make recommendations to improve the final document.

The JMT concept and SOPs was developed by a Technical Working Group comprising of the GIS, GRA-Customs Division, Ghana Police Service and NIB and is designed to enhance inter-agency collaboration through coordinated joint patrols, information sharing, and effective responses to border security challenges.

The SOP also highlights other important referral agencies for the JMT. It is essential for all agencies operating at the borders to contribute their insights and advise on their roles to ensure operationalization of the JMT concept.

Prior the validation workshop, ICMPD organized three simulation exercises at key border crossing points: Paga, Elubo, and Akanu, in the Northern, Western and Volta Regions, borders with Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo.

These simulation exercises was used to introduce the JMT concept to border security personnel using real life scenarios to enhance their understanding of the concept and test its practical application. Additionally, it enabled on-the-ground personnel to assess the concept’s relevance to their work and its practical feasibility.

Speaking at the validation meeting, DCOI Laud Ofori Afrifa, Deputy Comptroller General in Charge of Operations and Command Posts at the Ghana Immigration Service, expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts that contributed to the development of the JMT concept.

He remarked, ‘‘Effective border management requires a multi-faceted approach, bringing all relevant stakeholders in the border management space on board to ensure the territorial integrity of the country is intact.

“I am pleased to see all the border agencies committed to the concept, and I am confident that its institutionalization will bring great success and benefits to our nation’s economy”.

The JMT concept is in line with Ghana’s National Security Strategy, which advocates for a collective approach to tackling security challenges through the involvement of multiple agencies.

This initiative builds upon existing agreements, such as the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ghana Revenue Authority – Customs Division, as well as the Memorandum of Agreement between security agencies on Integrated Border Management.

Amala Obiokoye-Nwalor, Head of Office, ICMPD Ghana, emphasized the critical role of inter-agency cooperation in effectively addressing migration and border security challenges in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.

She noted that the JMT is all about fostering inter-agency cooperation and ensuring there is an end-to-end intervention in terms of interception, case management, and referral of both suspects and potential victims.

Ms. Obiokoye-Nwalor further extended her gratitude to the European Union for its continuous support to the SBS project, as well as to all the stakeholders and border management agencies that contributed to the development and validation of the JMT concept. ICMPD remains dedicated to supporting the government of Ghana’s efforts in migration governance, migration policy development, and national security.

The successful validation of the JMT concept and SOP establishes a foundation for implementing the Joint Mobile Teams Concept to enhance border security in Ghana.