Open-border policy won’t compromise Ghana’s economy – Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo has assured Ghanaians that he is determined to
ensure that the open-border policy adopted by his government, since June
2017, will not undermine the economy.
According to the
President, a fundamental part of Government’s strategy for growth has
been to associate Ghana strongly with the process of regional and
continental integration, adding that the measures his government has put
in place should make Ghanaian businesses more competitive in West
Africa, Africa and beyond.
“It is for this reason that government
has taken the decision to open all our borders to operate for
twenty-four hours. This will boost trade and tourism, and, then, we can
reap the economic benefits,” he said.
The President continued,
“The opening of our borders is giving true meaning to the ECOWAS
Protocols on Free Movement of Goods and Persons, and will spur on
progress and prosperity for our peoples. That is why, since 8th June
2017, the Aflao border post has been running for 24 hours, and same has
been extended to Akanu and Segbe border posts. In due course, Elubo,
Sampa, Golokrom, Hamile and Paga will follow.”
Government, the
President noted, is mindful of the security threats and challenges this
policy may bring, especially so with the growing threat of terrorism in
the region.
He assured the Ghanaian that “our security agencies
have been put on high alert, and are co-ordinating effectively with our
neighbours to keep our respective countries safe. So far, the
Immigration Service has played a key role in this co-ordinated effort,
as it has provided critical and vital intelligence in addition to
manning our borders rigorously during this period.”
The President
noted, however, that the 24-hour opening of Ghana’s borders has also
increased the spate of smuggling from the country.
He, therefore,
urged the officers of the Immigration Service to be vigilant in
assisting to combat this scourge, and help bring the perpetrators of
these crimes to book.
“I am determined that our open-border
policy will not lead to the undermining of our economy, and I need your
support to ensure that,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo made this known on Wednesday, 26th October 2017,
when he delivered a speech at the at the graduation parade of the
Immigration Service Officer Cadet intake 9 at Immigration Academy and
Training School, at Assin Fosu.
Immigration taking centre stage
In
recent years, the President noted that issues of migration have taken
centre stage in national, regional, continental and global discussions.
These issues have cost Presidents and Prime Ministers elections, and
brought in new leaders, in some countries, as a result.
“Immigration
has been tied to global security, especially within the growing threats
of terrorism. The fear of attacks is driving a growing link between
anti-terror measures and immigration policy. At the same time,
immigration has been proven to be a strong developmental tool of many
countries, playing key roles in the rapid expansion of their economies,”
he observed.
It is for this reason, he stressed, that in the
2016 Manifesto of the New Patriotic Party, the party assured that if it
won the election, “we will offer extensive training in specialist areas
in the growing areas of crime detection and prevention, customer service
relations, and trends in global cross-border crimes and anti-terrorism
tactics. We will also provide modern and strategic equipment to make
them more efficient, as well as offering competitive remuneration to
enable the Service attract the best personnel.”
President
Akufo-Addo reiterated the commitment of his government to the
realisation of these campaign pledges, adding that “from the last 10
months, the period of stay of my government in office, you can all
attest to the fact that when I promise, I deliver.”
To the graduating class, the President noted that they are entering the service at a critical time of its development.
“The
training you have received will assist you greatly in the discharge of
your duties, and also in helping to realise the vision of the
Immigration Service. I urge you to maintain high levels of discipline
and strive not to compromise on your professional ethics. Diligence,
integrity and honesty must be your watchwords,” he added.
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