Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has underscored the importance of creating awareness and sensitizing residents of border communities to sustain the peaceful and progressive relationship between Ghana and its neighbours.
In a statement delivered on the floor of Parliament commemorate the 2024 African Border Day on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 the Minister noted that border communities bear the brunt of border-related challenges and urged for their involvement in decision-making processes to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility.
The Lands Minister stressed an all-encompassing approach involving all stakeholders be implemented to ensure that the country continues to experience peace and development along its boundaries.
Such an approach, he said, will have a greater impact and assist the country in its efforts to build resilient border governance.
Addressing the theme for the commemoration, “Educate an African Fit for the Twenty-First (21st) Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa,” the Minister commended the Ghana Boundary Commission for their outstanding work in promoting and ensuring Ghana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
He stressed that education serves as a powerful tool in promoting inter-cultural dialogue, tolerance, and mutual understanding, and urged for cross-border exchanges, economic cooperation, and joint development projects to overcome barriers and create stronger border communities.
“By empowering our youth to become active agents of change within their communities, we can create a formidable defense against the forces of violence and extremism which often target vulnerable populations, including youth in border communities,” he emphasized.
He underscored the Ghana Boundary Commission’s efforts in promoting peaceful co-existence with neighboring countries and resolving boundary disputes through peaceful cooperation.
“The Ghana Boundary Commission has led efforts to promote peaceful co-existence with our neighbors through regular sensitization and cross-border activities with neighboring countries,” He added.
“We are called upon to recognize the crucial significance of educating our citizens, particularly those living in border communities, about the importance of land and maritime boundaries and their role as stakeholders in safeguarding our international boundaries.
“The Ghana Boundary Commission has worked tirelessly over the years to reaffirm and safeguard our international boundaries, ensuring that Ghana’s territorial sovereignty is protected at all times. The Commission has led efforts to promote peaceful coexistence with our neighbours through regular sensitization and cross-border activities with neighbouring countries.
“The Commission’s work in upholding international law to resolve boundary disputes through peaceful cooperation has been recognized across the continent, with several countries engaging the Commission to learn from their experience.
“To achieve a greater impact, it is essential that we engage and empower border communities, including Traditional Authorities, Border Security Committees, Municipal and District Assemblies in border areas, and other relevant stakeholders, to create awareness of the significance of boundaries and the contribution of stakeholders in border governance.
The African Border Day commemorates the significance of the African Union Border Programme and the Niamey Convention, which aims to promote integrated border governance and cross-border cooperation.