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THE IMMIGRATION Patrol Commander at the Aflao Border, Assistant Controller of Immigration (ACI), Osman Adams, says the 23 unapproved routes between Ghana and the Republic of Togo at the Aflao border poses a serious security threat to the state and called on government to put in place immediate measures to avert any possible invasion of Ebola patients from the neighbouring countries. The Assistant Controller of Immigration in Charge of the Aflao border Patrol alleged that the Togolese security normally open their side of the border for people without valid travelling documents to enter the country, without approval from the Ghanaian security. Speaking at an emergency meeting by the various security personnel at the Aflao border with the Volta Regional Minister, Madam Helen Adwoa Ntoso, Mr. Adams noted that the 23 unapproved routes covering a distance of 5 kilometers have created room for recalcitrant unemployed youth to bring into Ghana illegal foreigners from countries like Congo, Benin and South Africa. This practice, the Assistant Immigration Controller pointed out, did not only disrupt immigration activities but also posed a serious threat to the lives of security operatives particularly Immigration personnel who operate without weapons. ACI Adams noted that apart from the Aflao main border and Beat 9 being the only approved border post, commercial motorbike riders from the Togo side, also known as �okada�, with the assistance of Ghanaian youth at Aflao, aid travelers through the unproved routes to enter into the country without any documents, as immigration personnel were deprived of checking them. The Aflao Sector Commander of the Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division, Confidence Nyadzi blamed the situation on Ghana�s refusal to equally erect a fence wall and construct a motorable road for easy patrols, as is being done by the Togolese government, stressing that if this is done, the numerous unapproved openings by the Togolese security would have no effect on the operation of the Ghanaian security personnel. The Aflao Sector Commander called for more security personnel, including the police, Immigration and Custom personnel, to ensure that matters of national security were effectively dealt with, without hindrance. He noted that in spite of the numerous meetings with traditional authorities and relevant stakeholders to find possible solution to the negative activities engaged in by the youth in the area, the situation still remained the same and wondered whether the traditional authorities in the area had shown concern to the welfare of the state. The Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Joseph Teye�Nuertey, who educated the security personnel at the Aflao border, stressed the need for them to be alert and to report any suspected Ebola case to the health authorities. He, however, noted that the porous border situation at Aflao would not help in identifying those who might be carrying the disease. The Volta Regional Minister, Madam Helen Adwoa Ntoso, urged the various security operatives at the Aflao border to cooperate and share ideas among themselves, on how to effectively combat any security threat to the state and also cautioned them against fraudulent activities. Madam Ntoso tasked the security personnel to organize a meeting with the chiefs and opinion leaders within a week at Aflao, to discuss why the negative activities of the youth, particularly those that are criminal in nature, were on the increase at the border and to help find amicable solution to the problem. The Regional Minister, however, announced the preparedness of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), of which she is the Chairperson, to support the security to succeed in the discharge of their duties at the border. She noted that the case of the Immigration officers not being equipped with weapons would be given the needed attention and promised to forwarded their concerns to the appropriate authorities for the needed action. �The former Border Guards were well equipped with weapons and they carried out their duties without anybody beaten them. I don�t understand why our Immigration officers at our various entry points are without weapons and I think that is why you are being attacked,� She said. Madam Ntoso and her entourage later toured some of the unapproved openings where the Minister saw the Togolese side of the border fenced and with tarred roads, while the Ghana part of the border was left open.