A kick-off meeting towards the implementation of inclusive preventive action on border security (SIPABS) project in the Bono and Bono East Regions has been held in Sunyani.
BOK Africa Concern, a Berekum-based non-governmental organization (NGO) and the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) jointly partnered the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) to organise the meeting.
The SIPABS initiative, under the Strengthening Border Security (SBS) Project of the ICMPD being funded by the European Union Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF), aims at reducing and eliminating the occurrence of irregular migration and human trafficking in the two regions.
The initiative also seeks to promote dialogue and active collaboration between communities, civil society groups, traditional authorities, as well as institutions, especially border management agencies and local authorities.
Key actors that participated in the meeting included opinion leaders of selected rural communities, traditional rulers, representatives of the Ghana Society of Physically Challenged in the two regions, leaders of migrant associations, groups and hairdressers.
Giving the background and scope of the project, Mr. Benson Osei Savio Boateng, the Executive Director, BOK Africa Concern, said the initiative specifically “promotes concerted action on border management with traditional authorities and local organisations”.
It also aims to increase knowledge in irregular migration and trafficking of persons, promotes economic empowerment, steps up campaigns and stakeholders participation, interactions and sharing information with border agents and to create save our soul (SOS) platforms and support mechanisms which enable them report back for urgent help.
Mr Boateng said the organisation was determined and committed to ensuring the prudent use and management of resources allocated for the project, and therefore asked for timely release of funds for the smooth execution of project.
In an overview of the SBS project, Madam Eunice Adofo Boanya, the Project Officer, ICMPD Ghana, said “the Centre focuses on capacity building, research and promotes migration dialogue to enhance better migration policies”.
Mad. Boanya said the ICMPD was implementing two projects in Ghana – SBS and Strengthening Border and Migration Management (SMMIG).
She said SBS project had two components including building the capacity of the GIS and strengthening its operations to improve service delivery and coordination at all levels, as well as working with neighbouring countries to improve border security management in Ghana.
“The component two entails giving grants to dedicated civil society organisations (CSOs), academic and research/training institutions interested in migration related issues,” Mad. Boanya indicated.
She emphasised “the idea is to get them to submit innovative research and action proposals and best practices in the management of a range of issues bothering trafficking in humans, migrant smuggling and border security related issues”.
“It would create synergies, build relationships and trust between CSOs and border security agencies as well as local communities, traditional and religious authorities to see how best all these interest/identified groups can work together,” Mad. Boanya stated.
She further said it would implement actions on cross-cutting issues such as anti- corruption and countering violent extremism along border communities.
Nana Akosua Afrakoma, the queen mother of Wamfie underscored the need to inculcate in the youth traditional and cultural values like honesty, humility and respect for the elderly, saying
such values were fast eroding and leading to loss of identity and cultural heritage.
Nana Afrakoma blamed pastors for undermining the positive values and principles espoused in traditional belief systems, stating that “the chieftaincy institution and tradition have been demonised to look as though it is a worship of smaller gods, causing it to lose its respect.”
She appealed to parents and guardians to educate their children and wards by instilling in them the norms and values of the society for them to become respectful and responsible adults in the interest of their families, communities and the larger society.
