By Edzorna Francis Mensah
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, And Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency, Samuel A. Jinapor has urged African nationals to take solace the profound words of our first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, that “Africa is one continent, one people and one nation”.
He said, as Africans Nkrumah’s words must continue to inspire the citizens of the continent, and “lead us to recommit ourselves to the ideals of unity, solidarity, and cooperation that underpin the African Union, while recognising that our borders are not barriers to be feared but bridges to be crossed in pursuit of a shared future of peace, prosperity, and progress for all Africans”.
In a statement made on the floor of parliament, to mark the day, the Sector Minister, Samuel A. Jinapor has commended the Ghana Boundary Commission for working tirelessly to reaffirm and safeguard our international boundaries, to ensure that Ghana’s territorial sovereignty is protected at all times.
He said the Commission has led efforts to promote peaceful co-existence with our neighbours through regular sensitisation and cross-border activities with neighbouring countries.
Mr. Jinapor told parliament that, “the work of the Commission in upholding international law to resolve boundary disputes through peaceful cooperation is has been recognised across the continent, several other countries engaging the Commission to learn from them” and to achieve greater impact, “it is essential that we engage and empower border communities, including Traditional Authorities, Border Security Committees, Municipal and District Assemblies in border areas and other relevant stakeholders, to create an awareness of the significance of boundaries and the contribution of stakeholders in border governance”.
“In addition to safeguarding our boundaries, education also serves as a powerful tool in promoting intercultural dialogue, tolerance, and mutual understanding, that counter the narratives of hate and division that fuel extremist ideologies. By empowering our youth to become active agents of change within their communities, we can create a formidable defence against the forces of violence and extremism which often target vulnerable populations, including youth in border communities”.
As Ghana joined the rest of the words to mark the fourteenth (14th) African Border Day, the Minister used the occasion to salute the hard work and dedication of all who continue to work tirelessly towards safe and secure boundaries in Africa.
He extended special appreciation to Ghana Boundary Commission, under the leadership of its Coordinator, Major General Emmanuel W. Kotia, and all their partners, for their invaluable contributions towards safeguarding our boundaries and promoting regional stability but was quick to add that, “through education we can instil in our youth a sense of pride in their heritage and a deep understanding of the importance of respecting territorial boundaries. Furthermore, by promoting cross-border exchanges, economic cooperation, and joint development projects, we can overcome the barriers that divide us and create stronger, more resilient border communities”.
Border communities often bear the brunt of border-related challenges, including cross-border conflicts, illegal migration, and transnational organised crime. Thus, by involving the relevant stakeholders in the decision-making processes and providing them with the necessary knowledge and resources, we can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility towards safeguarding our boundaries.
The celebration is under the theme: “Educate an African Fit for the Twenty-First (21st) Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa”.