102 Illegal Border Routes Identified in Volta Region – Interior Minister
Government steps up border security amid concerns over cross-border crime.
- 102 illegal routes identified.
- Ghana has 48 official border posts.
- Government operates 63 inland checkpoints.
The government has identified 102 unauthorised border routes in the Volta Region, raising fresh concerns over border security and the growing threat of transnational crime.
Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, disclosed the figure while appearing before Parliament’s Assurances Committee on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
According to the Minister, Ghana currently operates 48 official border crossing points, but the large number of illegal routes continues to pose a significant security challenge.
“We have 48 legitimate crossing points into our country. We were shocked to discover that in the Volta Region alone, 102 unapproved routes have been identified,” he told the committee.
Mr Mubarak noted that similar concerns exist in other border regions, including the Upper East, Upper West, Bono and Western regions, where porous frontiers are vulnerable to illegal activities.
He warned that if left unchecked, the illegal routes could be exploited by criminal networks to traffic narcotics, contraband and other prohibited goods through Ghana, potentially turning the country into a transit hub for organised crime.
To strengthen border security, the government has established 63 inland security checkpoints across the country to intercept smugglers and gather intelligence.
Although acknowledging concerns over delays caused by the checkpoints, the Interior Minister described them as an essential part of the country’s security strategy. He also called on security personnel to adopt more professional, intelligence-led operations while urging border communities to support efforts by reporting suspicious activities to the authorities.
