Ghana has launched the national implementation of a €7.3 million European Union-funded project aimed at strengthening border security and improving cooperation among West African countries in response to growing threats from terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime.
The initiative, known as the Strengthening and Harmonising Integrated Border Management Frameworks and Technical (SHIFT) Capacities in West Africa project, was officially launched during the inaugural meeting of the National Project Steering Committee at the Ghana Immigration Service headquarters in Accra.
The four-year project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), seeks to strengthen and harmonise Integrated Border Management (IBM) systems across the region.
According to the Ghana Immigration Service, the project responds to increasing security challenges in West Africa, including porous borders, the spillover of terrorism from the Sahel, transnational organised crime, socio-economic pressures and limited state presence in some border communities.
Officials say the project aims to improve national and regional security while supporting economic growth and cross-border cooperation through stronger coordination among border management agencies.
The initiative is being implemented in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo, while Burkina Faso will participate in regional-level interventions. It will involve national border agencies, security institutions, civil society organisations, border communities and citizens across the region.
Launching the project, the Comptroller-General of Ghana’s Immigration, Samuel Basintale Amadu, reaffirmed the Ghana Immigration Service’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to secure Ghana’s borders and contribute to peace and stability in West Africa.
The Head of Office for ICMPD, Amala Obiokoye Nwalor, said although security agencies currently operate separate communication systems, there was a need to institutionalise the Ghana Immigration Service’s Information Exchange Mechanism and extend access to regional commands and border control points to improve information sharing.
During the meeting, members of the National Project Steering Committee adopted the committee’s terms of reference and approved the 2026 work plan, which will guide implementation of project activities. The committee is chaired by Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration, Faisal Disu.
The European Union’s Team Leader, Gisela Spreitzhofer, praised members of the committee for their commitment to the project, describing the inaugural meeting as successful and saying it had met her expectations.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ghana Immigration Service, the European Union, ICMPD, other security agencies and civil society organisations.
Below is the press release
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 Harmonizing 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 organized 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 organized crime in West Africa. Specially, the project aims to strengthen and harmonize Integrated Border Management (IBM) practices, thereby enhancing national and regional security while promoting economic growth and cross border cooperation.
Through its comprehensive and harmonize 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 Organization, border communities and ultimately community citizens in the West African region.
Speaking at the launch, CGI Mr. Samuel Basintale Amadu said, 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.
Madam Gisela Spreitzhofer, EU Team Leader, commended the Committee for its dedication to the project, saying the meeting was a successful one and met her expectations. The meeting brought together representatives from GIS, the European Union, ICMPD, other security agencies, and civil society organizations.
Signed
Maud Anima Quainoo
Deputy Commissioner of Immigration
Public Affairs Department
