Ghana Italy co-operate to check migration

Published in the Daily Graphic on 18/02/2010, pg 46

Story: Matilda Attram
The government is collaborating with the Italian Public Security Department to devise mechanisms to reduce illegal migration and smuggling in order to improve upon security in both countries.
The two governments will share ideas on the necessary measures needed to achieve this through bilateral co-operation.
This was made known during the signing of a bilateral agreement between the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the Department of Italian Public Security Department in Accra.
The agreement emphasises capacity building and technical co-operation programmes to consolidate partnership approaches between the two countries.
It also seeks to provide joint operations, as well as mutual visits and training of personnel, in the fight against the negative practices involved in migration.
The Italian Minister of Interior, Mr Roberto Maroni, indicated that Italy had been the European Union nation which took up the responsibility to co-ordinate and manage the challenges of illegal migration, especially in Europe.
He reiterated the good relationship Ghana shared with Italy and expressed the hope of further strengthening it through the agreement.
The outgoing Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka, in his remarks, stated that illegal migration was a major challenge to most nations due to disparities in the distribution of economic resources which needed to be controlled.
According to him, illegal migration and smuggling had been characterised as trans-national crimes organised by international criminal organisations which were often connected to drug trafficking, terrorism, money laundering and arms trafficking.
He indicated that Ghana was prone to insecurity and trans-national crimes from unstable countries in the sub-region such as drugs, small arms and human trafficking due to its geographical location.
“The porous and artificial nature of our borders gives rise to the constant movement of persons, both licit and illicit,” he said.
Mr Avoka pointed out that although the law enforcement agencies in the country faced many challenges, they did well to maintain peace and security.
He expressed the hope that the international co-operation and collaboration between the two countries would enhance the capacity of the security agencies in Ghana.
He further expressed gratitude to the Italian government for its kind gesture.