The Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), 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 project.

The launch took place at the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) Headquarters in Accra.

The €7.3 million European Union-funded SHIFT project, being implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), seeks to address growing security challenges in West Africa, including porous borders, the spillover of terrorism from the Sahel, transnational organised crime, socio-economic constraints and limited state presence in some border communities.

The 48-month project is aimed at contributing to efforts to combat violent extremism, terrorism and transnational organised crime in the region.

Specifically, the project seeks to strengthen and harmonise Integrated Border Management (IBM) practices to enhance national and regional security while promoting economic growth and cross-border cooperation.

Through a comprehensive and coordinated approach, SHIFT aims to improve the resilience of participating countries, enhance operational effectiveness and promote sustainable security and development across West Africa.

The project 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 organisations, border communities and citizens across the region.

Speaking at the launch, CGI Samuel Basintale Amadu reaffirmed the Ghana Immigration Service’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to strengthen border security and contribute to stability in West Africa.

The Head of Office of ICMPD, Amala Obiokoye Nwalor, noted that although security agencies operate separate communication systems, there was a need to integrate the GIS Information Exchange Mechanism (IEM) within the Service and expand access to Regional Commands and Border Control Points.

The National Project Steering Committee reviewed and adopted its Terms of Reference, with the committee being chaired by Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration, Faisal Disu.

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