GIS, EU deepen security partnership to strengthen Ghana’s Northern borders

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has deepened its security cooperation with the European Union (EU) following a high-level engagement in Accra aimed at enhancing border management, counter-terrorism coordination, and regional stability across the Sahel and Coastal West Africa.

A delegation led by the EU Special Representative for the Sahel, Juan Crauviño, held extensive discussions with GIS leadership as part of efforts to strengthen long-standing cooperation between Ghana and the European bloc.

H.E. Crauviño said his mandate requires close collaboration with all 27 EU member states and a clear understanding of security realities on the ground in strategic countries like Ghana.

He commended Ghana’s vigilance and internal security measures, noting that the country “has been resilient to the risk of incursions from terrorists because of local initiatives,” even though the broader Sahel region remains volatile.

Reflecting on his engagements with the GIS Northern Regional Command, the Ghana Armed Forces and civil society organisations, he highlighted the complexities of Ghana’s northern borders, characterised by deep family ties, porous crossing points and fluid community movement.

These, he said, require tailored approaches different from European border management systems.

Comptroller-General of Immigration, Samuel Basintale Amadu, expressed appreciation for the EU’s sustained support, particularly through the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and various EU-funded initiatives.

He described the Sahel as a growing security concern, noting that “the region sits on top of Ghana and pressure is coming down.”

He emphasised operational challenges, especially along the vast northern frontier, where limited mobility hampers effective patrols and response efforts.

Deep community connections at the border, he added, often complicate identification processes: “Sometimes boundaries cut through houses… criminals take advantage, disguising themselves as border residents.”

EU Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, praised the professionalism of the GIS and highlighted the EU’s priority focus on northern Ghana. “60% of our support goes to the north because we are very cognisant of the challenges there,” he stated.

He also commended the progress of the EU Security and Defence Initiative (EUSDI), which aims to enhance surveillance, technology deployment and inter-agency coordination in border regions.

Deputy Comptroller-General for Operations and Command Post, Laud Affrifah, expanded on the ethnic and geographic complexities along the northern borders, underscoring the need for improved surveillance technology, rapid response mechanisms and enhanced officer training.

He said operations like Operation Conquered Fist have strengthened multi-agency presence across the 500km northern boundary, but more investment in technology and training is crucial.

Affrifah also highlighted the importance of community engagement in preventing radicalisation, attributing Ghana’s relative stability to close cooperation between security agencies and local communities.

In closing, H.E. Crauviño described the meeting as “constructive and encouraging,” reaffirming the EU’s commitment to working closely with Ghana under the EUSDI framework and other EU–Africa security arrangements.

“We believe there is a need to work more closely with West African countries, and Ghana is a very strong friend,” he said.

The meeting reinforces Ghana’s continued partnership with the EU in building a resilient security architecture to counter threats emerging from the Sahel and strengthen border safety across northern Ghana.