Damaged boundary pillars, neglected communities raise security concerns in Bono Region

A week-long field assessment by the Ghana Boundary Commission (GBC) has confirmed growing concerns over deteriorating boundary infrastructure and the difficult living conditions facing several communities along Ghana’s western frontier.

The exercise, led by Commissioner-General Major General Anthony Ntem, covered key border areas within the Dormaa Central and Jaman South Municipalities, where officials conducted on-the-ground inspections and engaged local stakeholders.

Findings from the exercise validated earlier reports by officers of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), which had highlighted the poor state of some international boundary pillars.

According to the Commission, while a number of the pillars remain intact, several others have been displaced, damaged, or defaced.

The causes, officials say, range from human interference to environmental factors—developments that could pose risks to effective boundary demarcation and border security.

The situation is particularly significant given the ongoing joint reaffirmation exercise between Ghana and neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire, which involves the replacement and restoration of boundary markers along their shared land border.

However, officials noted that the current phase of the exercise has not yet reached the affected municipalities in the Bono Region.

The Commission expressed optimism that the damaged pillars identified during the assessment would be addressed in Phase Three of the Joint Reaffirmation Exercise.

Beyond infrastructure concerns, the exercise also revealed troubling socio-economic conditions in the border communities.

A human security needs assessment conducted by the team showed that many of the settlements lack basic social amenities, underscoring the development challenges confronting residents.

Communities such as Gonokrom, Kofi Badukrom, Kwamesiekrom, Drobo, Batia, Atuna, and Kwameprakrom all echoed similar concerns—limited access to essential services and a pressing need for development interventions despite their strategic importance to national security.

As part of the exercise, the Commission held a series of stakeholder engagements, including meetings with the Bono Regional Minister, Municipal Chief Executives, Municipal Security Councils, traditional authorities, and local residents.

The interactions, according to officials, provided valuable insight into the lived realities of border communities and reinforced the importance of integrating development priorities into border management strategies.

The Ghana Boundary Commission says the findings highlight the urgent need for sustained investment in both boundary maintenance and community development, stressing that safeguarding Ghana’s territorial integrity must go hand in hand with improving livelihoods in frontier areas.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith