Superintendent Mohammed Khaleed, the Sampa Border Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has appealed for operational logistics to improve patrols on the Ghana-Ivory Coast border in the Jaman North District of the Bono Region.
Supt. Khaleed made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) when Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister visited and interacted with the GIS officers at Sampa, a border town.
As part of her visit to the District, the Regional Minister was at the border Command to assess the preparedness of the GIS in ensuring security in the wake of terrorism and extremist attack in parts of Africa.
Supt. Khaleed said the Command lacked modern security equipment and gadgets to enhance surveillance in the border communities and unapproved routes in the district.
He said there were about 48 unapproved routes in the area, saying the 138 personnel of the command required motorbikes to intensify patrols and facilitate effective operations.
That notwithstanding, Supt. Khaleed explained the Command had enhanced its profiling systems and upscale patrols along the borders and added that motorbikes were needed urgently.
He said the Command required more metal detectors to check criminal activities and unlawful importation of explosives and guns through the borders.
Supt. Khaleed also expressed concern about poor telecommunication networks in the area, and appealed for more ‘Gota’ to enable personnel to easily transmit security information to the GIS headquarters in Accra.
On her part, Madam Owusu-Banahene commended the GIS personnel for their spirit of patriotism, and promised to ensure that their concerns were addressed to improve border security in the area.