Accra – On 17 and 24 May 2023, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with STAR Ghana Foundation, held consultation meetings with various security and border management stakeholders to identify recommendations for a roadmap to mainstream human security and gender equality into Ghana’s border security strategy. The consultations are part of interventions to support the Government’s efforts to reinforce the resilience of border communities to security threats and strengthen Ghana's border security.

Adelaide Anno-Kumi, Chief Director at the Ministry of the Interior, said: “We strive to understand the gender dimensions of migration and apply this awareness in our border security management activities which is crucial for border agencies when addressing cross-border movements of free trade within the sub-region and Africa as a whole.” 

Representatives from relevant state institutions at the national and sub-national levels, civil society organizations, United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organizations who work in community engagement, border management and security, discussed, among others, security perceptions and livelihood challenges of border communities, as well as the relationship between security service officials, local authorities and community members.

Participants drew lessons from ongoing interventions under the “Enhancing Community Resilience and Social Cohesion amongst Select Border Communities in Northern Ghana” project funded by the United Nations Trust Fund on Human Security (UNTFHS), the “Strengthening the Northern Borders of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo” project funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), and other initiatives.

A vulnerability and security perception survey conducted in six border communities in the Upper East Region of Ghana (Namoo, Paga, Mognori, Pulmakom, Kulungugu and Paga), as well as community dialogue platforms set up to bridge the gap between the State (represented by local authorities and security agencies) and the border communities, are some of the interventions that have helped gather relevant information to support the development of a roadmap for mainstreaming human security and gender equality into the national border security strategy.

Isaac Owusu-Mensah, Deputy Comptroller General (Finance Administration) of Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), said: “GIS employs all the needed apparatus, including engagement with the border communities, durbars and the media, on the need to support regular migration and improve border security.”

The consultations developed recommendations on improving trust building and community participation with security agencies; promoting gender, youth and human rights; addressing capacity needs and gaps of security agencies; and promoting socio-economic and livelihood opportunities for border communities.

Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, IOM Chief of Mission in Ghana, said: “Interventions, including strengthening social cohesion within border communities, improving trust and dialogue between border communities and local authorities, should complement traditional security interventions and provide a holistic response to border governance.”

For more information, please contact Nnamdi Iwuora, Senior Programme Manager at IOM Ghana, Tel: +233 302 742 930 Ext. 2401, or niwuora@iom.int