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The National Coordinator of the Ghana Boundary Commission (GBC), Major General Emmanuel Kotia, says the outfit is collaborating with the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Commission toimprove the living conditions of people living along the country’s borders in order to enhance security.
He said there was the need to provide adequate social amenities, including water, schools and health facilities,for people in border communities to prevent them from being vulnerable,and therefore, swayed into violent activities.
Major General Kotiamade the call at the inauguration of a rehabilitated health centre at Leklebi -Kame, a border Community in the Afadzato District of the Volta Region on Thursday.
He indicated that investing in poor border communities was relevant as it would help prevent extremists from taking advantage of poverty-induced vulnerability of the people, particularly the youth,and coerce them into extremist activities.
According to Major General Kotia, “the provision of vital social amenities would deter terrorists from infiltrating border communities, and also promote peace and tranquility in such communities.”
The Director of Free Movement of ECOWAS Commission, Mr Albert Siaw Boateng, announced that it was provided with funds to undertake projects, and Ghana was the first to complete such projects in the West African sub-region.
Mr Boateng highlighted that the ECOWAS Commission was committed to ensuring free movement of persons across the borders of West African countries.
Moreover, he said the Ghanaian authorities and their Togolese counterparts would engage in further consultations to find alasting solution to challenges militating against the free movement of people across the borders of the two countries.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mr Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong,stated that the rehabilitation of the health centre was a testament of what regional integration could achieve.
He said that the facility would promote quality healthcare for thepeople of Leklebi -Kame and communities in Togo.
MrAmpratwum- Sarpong observed that the implementation of cross-border support programmes to enhance the free movement of persons would also foster unity and peace in the sub-region, adding that,“the rehabilitated health facility is a shining example that when nations came together, much development can be achieved.”
The Chief of Leklebi -Kame, Togbe Atatsi V, commended the Ghana Boundary Commission for the completion of the project, and lauded the 48 Regiment of the Ghana Army who executed the project.
FROM SAMUEL AGBEWODE, LEKLEBI
