Ghana, West African neighbours seek stronger intelligence sharing to tackle cross-border crime
By: Hannah Dadzie and Olivia Obesebea Ghana and its West African neighbours are seeking to strengthen the sharing of intelligence and operational information among border and security agencies to combat transnational organised crime. Officials from Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo are discussing ways to improve cooperation and information exchange at a regional workshop on […]
Ghana and its neighboring West African nations – Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo – are working to enhance intelligence sharing and operational coordination among their border and security agencies. This effort aims to tackle transnational organized crime through a regional workshop held in Accra. The two-day meeting, funded by the European Union, is part of the SHIFT Project, which seeks to improve border management frameworks and technical capacities in the region.
Attendees include representatives from the European Union, ECOWAS Commission, INTERPOL, and the German Development Agency (GIZ). The free movement of people and goods among these countries supports integration but also exposes porous borders to threats like human trafficking, illicit trade, smuggling, cattle rustling, terrorism, and violent extremism.
The workshop provides a platform for peer-to-peer exchange and joint problem-solving among agencies responsible for border management. Ghana's Interior Minister, Freda Agyei Asare, emphasized the need for stronger bilateral and multilateral cooperation to enhance migration management and security. Faisal Disu, Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration and Co-Chair of the SHIFT Project, stressed that stronger regional coordination is essential as criminal networks operate across national borders.
He noted that while ECOWAS facilitates the free movement of people and goods, it also enables criminals to exploit these porous borders. The European Union's Deputy Ambassador, Jonas Claes, highlighted the project's significance, noting that stronger border cooperation is crucial for security and economic development. He also stressed the importance of implementing the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) to enhance intelligence and data exchange among law enforcement agencies.
Monica Zanette, Head of the Pan-Africa Region at the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, called for sustained dialogue and practical cooperation between neighboring countries to translate commitments into action. The SHIFT Project, running from 2026 to 2029 with a budget of 7.3 million euros, aims to strengthen border management capacities, improve inter-agency coordination, and promote closer regional cooperation.
The workshop is expected to produce prioritized actions to improve information sharing and develop a common roadmap for regional cooperation.
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
