Open Borders: the local impact of regional migration

Ghana’s membership in ECOWAS and its commitment to the free movement of persons, goods, and services has brought numerous economic and diplomatic benefits. But as borders remain open across West Africa, the local consequences of regional migration are becoming more visible and increasingly complex.

Over the past decade, Ghana has seen a significant increase in the number of migrants from neighboring countries such as Nigeria, Niger, Mali, and Chad. Many come seeking economic opportunity or fleeing instability at home. While the majority integrate peacefully and contribute to sectors like trade, agriculture, and services, a growing number of concerns have surfaced among communities and authorities alike.

Urban areas such as Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale have experienced rising numbers of street beggars --- many of them children --- from Niger and Mali. Simultaneously, some nomadic herders crossing into Ghanaian territory have been associated with land encroachment, destruction of farms, and isolated reports of violence, including theft and sexual assault in rural communities.

In the commercial sphere, certain foreign traders --- mainly from Nigeria and parts of the Arab countries and Asia --- have established footholds in Ghana’s markets, selling inexpensive but often substandard goods, some of which are believed to be smuggled in through unapproved routes. There are also concerns about human trafficking and the exploitation of young girls, particularly in urban slums and border towns.

According to the 2024 U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report, Ghana identified and referred 944 victims of trafficking in just one year, including 123 for sex trafficking and 821 for forced labor. Some of these cases involved cross-border criminal syndicates.

In response, the Ghana Immigration Service has ramped up enforcement efforts. A recent nationwide operation targeted undocumented migrants, especially in Accra, where large numbers of foreign nationals reside without proper documentation. Officials stress that these actions are not anti-migrant but are aimed at restoring order, ensuring legal compliance, and protecting the rights of both citizens and migrants.

While security and economic concerns are valid, there is an equally important need to avoid fueling xenophobia. Migration is a human reality and a pillar of West African cooperation. Most migrants in Ghana are law-abiding, hardworking individuals seeking a better life, and they often contribute positively to the economy.

What’s needed is a balanced approach. Ghana must as a matter of urgency focus on the following:

• ∆ Strengthen border control and immigration documentation systems.
• ∆ Collaborate with ECOWAS partners on shared migration challenges.
• ∆ Crack down on trafficking, smuggling, and illegal pastoralism.
• ∆ Improve public education on migration laws and community integration.
• ∆ Offer protection to vulnerable groups, including women and children.

Open borders may be a policy, but what happens within those borders is a lived experience for communities across Ghana. The government’s task is to ensure that the benefits of regional migration are harnessed --- while its threats are effectively managed.

Fuseini Abdulai Braimah
0550558008 ([email protected])