The Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Mr Samuel Basintale Amadu, has launched the inaugural meeting of the National Project Steering Committee for the Strengthening and Harmonising Integrated Border Management Frameworks and Technical (SHIFT) capacities in West Africa, at the Ghana Immigration Service Headquarters in Accra.

The 7.3 million EU funded SHIFT project, which is being implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), is in response to the escalating security challenges in West Africa, where porous borders, the spillover of terrorism from the Sahel, transnational organised crimes, socio-economic constraints and limited states presence in some border communities contributes to border vulnerability and instability.

 The 48-month project is to contribute to the fight against violent extremism, terrorism, and transnational organised crime in West Africa. Specially, the project aims to strengthen and harmonise Integrated Border Management (IBM) practices, thereby enhancing national and regional security while promoting economic growth and cross border cooperation.

 Through this, comprehensive and harmonise approach SHIFT aims to strengthen the resilience of target countries, improve operational effectiveness and promote sustained security and development across Africa.

“SHIFT is being implemented in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo with Burkina Faso participating in Regional level interventions. Key stakeholders include, National Border Agencies, Security Institutions, Civil society Organisation, border communities and ultimately community citizens in the West African region.

 Speaking at the launch, CGI Mr Samuel Basintale Amadu reaffirmed GIS’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to secure Ghana’s borders and contribute to stability in West Africa.

According to the Head of Office for ICMPD, Madam Amala Obiokoye Nwalor, even though security agencies operate separate communication systems, there is a need to embed the GIS Information Exchange Mechanism (IEM) within the Service and expand access to Regional Commands and Border Control Points.  The committee reviewed and adopted the Terms of Reference of the National Project Steering Committee, chaired by Deputy Comptroller General of Immigration, Mr Faisal Disu.

The committee also reviewed and adopted the 2026 Work Plan to guide implementation activities for the year.