Ghana's Interior Minister, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has disclosed that the country has 48 legitimate entry points but more than 300 unapproved crossing points. This revelation raises concerns about the challenges facing the country's border security. The Minister emphasized that the numerous unapproved routes pose a security challenge that requires stronger cooperation with neighboring countries.
Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Mr. Muntaka highlighted the need for cooperation among countries to tackle security threats that could extend beyond national borders. He stressed that sharing intelligence and coordinated efforts are essential to address threats across the sub-region. The Minister's comments come as he maintains that Ghana's overall security situation has improved compared with 2025.
Despite continuing concerns about ethnic conflicts, land disputes, illicit drugs, and border vulnerabilities, Mr. Muntaka assured that Ghana is much safer today than it was in 2025. He acknowledged that crime remains a challenge but said the government and security agencies are doing everything possible to protect the public and enable people to go about their daily activities without fear.
When asked to provide figures to support his assessment of the security situation, the Minister cautioned against measuring progress solely by comparing the number of deaths recorded in different years. Instead, he pointed to a reduction in the number of curfews imposed across the country. According to him, Ghana began 2025 with about 11 curfews and ended the year with about nine.
The Minister cited developments in Bawku in the Upper East Region, where he said there had been no gunfire for 150 days. The relative calm had allowed the authorities to ease restrictions in the town, including adjusting the curfew to between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Residents had also been permitted to ride motorbikes between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Despite the improvements outlined, the Minister said Ghana continues to face security threats that require sustained attention, including ethnic conflicts, land disputes, and illicit drug-related activities. He stressed that addressing these challenges also requires effective border management, given the number of unapproved crossing points across the country.
The Minister emphasized that Ghana cannot tackle transnational security threats in isolation, underscoring the need for neighboring countries to work together, exchange intelligence, and strengthen their collective response. His disclosure on the number of approved and unapproved crossing points highlights the scale of the border management challenge facing Ghana as the government seeks to sustain improvements in the country's security situation.
Key points
- The Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, disclosed that Ghana has 48 legitimate entry points but more than 300 unapproved crossing points.
- The Minister emphasized that cooperation among countries is essential to tackling security threats that could extend beyond national borders.
- Ghana's overall security situation has improved compared with 2025, with a reduction in the number of curfews imposed across the country.
