PGhana is working closely with neighbouring countries to fight cross-border crimes through intelligence report sharing.
In this regard, Upper West Region of Ghana, the South-West Region of Burkina Faso and the Bounkani Region of Cote d’Ivoire have resolved to collaborate to combat cross-border crimes like armed and organised crimes, terrorism and drug trafficking.
The collaboration which started last year would see the neighbouring regions work together to enhance their own development. This would be done through the sharing of information on security like notorious criminals and suspected terrorists as well as eliminate trade barriers, among others.
This action plan was contained in a communique that was issued after deliberations by delegations of the three regions during its 2nd tripartite meeting at Wa in the Upper West Region on Wednesday.
The meeting saw delegates from the South-West Region of Burkina Faso and the Bounkani Region of Cote d’Ivoire led by their governors, Colonel Tagseba Nitiema and Mr Joseph Droh Kpan respectively, and a delegation from the Upper West Region led by the Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Amidu Issahaku Chinnia.
The delegations were made up of members of the various security agencies, health departments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and representatives from the Regional Coordinating Councils.
Mr Chinnia who read the communique on behalf of the participants explained that certain measures have been agreed upon by the three regions to harmonise living among its residents in order to promote trade and social interaction.
“What we want to see under agriculture, for instance, is that all plant products being transported to neighbouring countries are accompanied by the necessary documentation like the phytosanitary certificates, so that plant products that do not have those certificates will be returned to its country,” he stated, adding that the regions should also agree on a common day for vaccination in order to manage pests and diseases among plants and animals.
Mr Chinnia intimated that most of the issues on security, culture, agriculture, illegal mining, deforestation, pastoral farming and education had already been discussed at the first tripartite meeting which was held at Gaoua in Burkina Faso last year and said the regions were mandated to discuss the issues with their respective security councils and forge the way forward.
He cited, for instance, a project by an NGO, Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Development (CIKOD), dubbed, “Pamobama”, and said it was introduced to direct nomads through a specific route where pasture and water had already been provided in order to control their movement.
LYDIA DARLINGTON FORDJOUR, WA
