Volta Region Faces 102 Illegal Border Crossings, Interior Minister Warns

Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has disclosed a critical security challenge facing Ghana, revealing that authorities have identified 102 illegal border routes in the Volta Region alone. The minister made the revelation during an appearance before Parliament's Assurances Committee on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, highlighting the vulnerability of Ghana's borders to criminal exploitation.

While Ghana maintains 48 official border crossing points, the discovery of over 100 unapproved routes in just one region underscores the scale of the problem. Mr Mubarak warned that these illegal crossings create opportunities for international criminal groups, drug traffickers, and smugglers to bypass official checkpoints and transport contraband into and through the country. "If we don't focus on trying to secure even these unapproved routes, we'll become a transit point," he cautioned.

The challenge extends beyond the Volta Region. The Upper East, Upper West, Bono, and Western regions—all of which share borders with neighbouring countries—also face similar issues with numerous unapproved routes requiring enhanced monitoring and security measures.

To address these concerns, security agencies have deployed strategic inland checkpoints across the country. The Interior Minister confirmed that approximately 63 inland checkpoints are currently operational, designed to gather intelligence and strengthen national security. However, he acknowledged public complaints about delays at these checkpoints and urged security personnel to balance effective monitoring with efficient service delivery through intelligence-led operations.

Mr Mubarak emphasised that securing Ghana's borders is a collective responsibility, calling on citizens to report suspicious activities to security agencies. The government's multi-layered approach combines official border posts, inland checkpoints, and community vigilance to combat organised crime and protect national security.