Ghana, Togo, B. Faso to check cross-border crime

Accra, Oct. 19, GNA - Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso have identified several factors, including timely exchange of information among security agencies on criminal activities, to curb cross-border crime. They also listed improved communication between the three countries at the borders and increased formalised interaction among the security personnel operating at the borders as other strategies, which could be used to address the various cross-border crimes such as armed robbery, cattle rustling, proliferation of small arms and illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

These were some of the decisions taken at the end of a tripartite meeting between the ministers of security and the interior in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Monday.

A statement signed by Mr Edwin Barnes, Chief Director of the Ministry of the Interior in Accra on Wednesday said Interior Minister Papa Owusu-Ankomah led Ghana's seven-member delegation.

The ministers also identified the development of joint operations to address specific cross-border crimes, including small arms and the establishment of a permanent Joint Consultative Framework for managing such crimes, to address the problems.

The statement said the ministers agreed to meet regularly and to that end the next meeting would be held in Ghana in December. Other members of the delegation included Mr Patrick Acheampong, Inspector General of Police, Mr David Apeatu, Director CID, Mr Barnes and Mr. K.O. Ansu-Gyeabour, Deputy Director Operations, Ghana Immigration Service. 19 Oct. 05