The Commissioner General of the Ghana Boundary Commission (GhBC), Major General Anthony Ntem, has called on the Border Residents of the Afadzato South District and the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region to protect the International Boundary Pillars to support efforts to safeguard Ghana’s territorial integrity.
He urged residents living along the international boundary to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, encroachments or damage of the Boundary Pillars to the Commission through the various local administrative and security authorities.
He further stressed that community participation is essential in preserving the integrity of the country’s international boundaries, as community members can serve as early teams on matters that pose a threat to the security of the state.
According to Major General Ntem, Boundary Pillars remain critical markers for delineating Ghana’s International Land Boundaries and play an important role in preventing disputes and maintaining peaceful relations with neighbouring countries.
“We make use of boundary markers, which are the pillars located along the land boundary. Some of these pillars were erected during the colonial era, and part of our work is to ascertain whether they are still in place. Over the years, some have been displaced, while others have been overgrown by vegetation. We have therefore commenced the construction of new pillars to reinforce the boundary,” he explained.
Major General Ntem made these remarks during a five-day Operational and Human Security Needs Assessment conducted by the Commission in parts of the Volta Region. The exercise forms part of the Commission’s efforts to evaluate the condition of Ghana’s international boundary pillars and assess the security and development needs of border communities.
As part of the assessment, the GhBC team engaged border security agencies stationed at the Wli Border Post and held consultations with traditional authorities in the Leklebi Agbesia Traditional Area. During the engagements, community members highlighted several developmental challenges, including the lack of a health facility and the need for an access road linking the community to a nearby waterfall to boost tourism in the area.
The team also visited the border communities of Agortime Kpetoe, Wudome, and Leklebi Kame to assess local conditions and gather information on operational and human security concerns.
In addition, the Commission held discussions with the Member of Parliament for Agotime-Ziope Constituency, Charles Agbeve and contractors undertaking an ongoing road construction project along sections of the Ghana – Togo International Boundary. Both parties were sensitised on the importance of adhering to established boundary limits and avoiding activities that could compromise the integrity of boundary pillars.
The Ghana Boundary Commission continues to work closely with border communities, traditional authorities, security agencies, and other stakeholders to promote peaceful borders, strengthen national security, and support the sustainable development of Ghana’s border areas.
