Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire agree on joint border posts

Accra, Sept. 12, GNA - Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire have agreed to pursue action for the early establishment of joint border posts between them to centralise Police, Immigration, Port Health and Customs at one location.

In this regard, they said efforts should be made to reduce the number of checkpoints on the Ghana/Cote d'Ivoire routes. This was contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed on at the end of a four-day visit to Cote d'Ivoire of Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Minister for Regional Cooperation and NEPAD from September 4 to September 7.

The visit was at the invitation of Mr Mel Eg Theodore, the Ivorian Minister for African Integration.

The MOU, released in Accra on Friday, said as a preparatory measure, they agreed to convene joint workshops at the Ghana/Cite d'Ivoire borders that would involve all relevant technical ministries, departments and agencies such as the Police, Immigration, Port Health and Customs to sensitise them on the need to have common border posts and to work out the modalities.

They agreed to convene regular meetings among all stakeholders and with the public to remove any bottlenecks that might hinder the smooth operation of the proposed common border posts.

The Ministers also agreed to promote regular interactions between Ghanaian and Ivorian officials to work out a mechanism for funding such a project.

They agreed to take "practical measures" towards eliminating reported instances of harassment of travellers and the unauthorised collection of fees on the Ghana/Cote d'Ivoire routes and by some border operators.

The MOU said the Ministers also agreed to promote effective implementation of the ECOWAS Trade Liberation Scheme Protocol, promote private sector partnerships and exchange information on problems that impeded trade.

They also agreed to harmonise production and marketing policies with regard to similar commodities produced in the two countries.