Dhaka:A Senior Research Fellow at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Dr. Mustapha Abdallah, has emphasized the need for stronger border controls to manage illegal migration and enhance national security in Ghana.
According to Ghana Web, Dr. Abdallah highlighted information from a Ghanaian border officer, presented at a border security management meeting in Senegal, which reported that approximately 2,000 illegal migrants were present in the country between March 2025 and July 2026.
Dr. Abdallah stressed the importance of ensuring that individuals entering Ghana are legally permitted, stating that the primary focus should be on monitoring borders effectively. He acknowledged that while some individuals fleeing threats in Sahelian countries might seek refuge in Ghana, they should not be immediately considered extremists or terrorists.
Ghana, in line with international law, is obligated to protect and accommodate those seeking refuge from threats in their home countries. Dr. Abdallah emphasized the need for ensuring their safety during their stay in Ghana.
However, he also called for vigilance against individuals suspected of criminal activities, urging communities to report such suspicions to security agencies to maintain the safety of community members.
Dr. Abdallah concluded by stressing the importance of cooperation among residents, police, immigration officials, and other security agencies to balance national security with the humane treatment of legal migrants. Ensuring the protection of citizens from criminal activities while treating legal migrants safely and humanely was highlighted as a priority.