Last year, over 12 million dollars’ worth of subsidized fertilizer was smuggled from Ghana to neighbouring countries like the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.
As a result, the Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih has called for a cross-border cooperation with its neighbours to end the canker.
Dr. Bin Salih who was visibly worried about the smuggling menace described it as “disturbing”.
The Regional Minister shared these sentiments when the Governor of the South West-Region of Burkina Faso, Colonel Nitiema Tagsseba visited him in Wa.
The visit by the Colonel Nitiema Tagsseba was to welcome Dr. Bin Salih into office while stepping up bilateral relations between the two regions.
The predecessor of Dr. Bin Salih, Sulemana Alhassan was instrumental in forging a relation the with South West-Region of Burkina Faso.
Dr. Bin Salih appealed to the Governor of South West Burkina to be alert and share information on government’s subsidized fertilizers that may enter Burkina Faso from the Upper West Region.
The Regional Minister assured Burkina Faso of Ghana’s readiness to support when need arises.
He said Ghana is aware of the terrorism challenges Burkina Faso is dealing with.
Dr. Bin Salih stated that as part of measures to prevent criminals from entering Ghana, the country has beefed up security by increasing joint military-police patrols at the various borders.
He was however, quick to add that, law abiding citizens of Burkina Faso who want to engage in legitimate business are welcome.
Dr. Bin Salih stated that “we are one people, some Ghanaians have relatives in Burkina Faso and [vice versa]” so there is a need to ensure that both countries are safe from acts of terrorism.
The Governor of the South West-Region of Burkina Faso, Colonel Nitiema Tagsseba said it is refreshing that Burkina Faso nationals continue to live in absolute peace in Ghana.
Colonel Tagsseba alluded to the fact that his country is facing challenges with regards to Terrorism.
He said their military is doing the best it can to ensure that total calm returns to Burkina Faso.
He said in the past months, four attacks had been carried out in his region.
The Governor explained that the attackers came on motorbikes and called on the Ghanaian security agencies to readily share intelligence gathered on such persons for the needed action to be taken.
Story by Mark Smith/Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
