The Ghana Immigration Service has reiterated the need to build solid infrastructure along Ghana’s border on the occasion of the celebration of Africa Border Day.

The Africa Border Day is a day set aside by the Commission of the African Union to be celebrated by the 54 Member States every year on June 7.

The statement noted that “proper demarcation of borders is very crucial for peace, security and stability on the continent.”

This year’s celebration is on the theme “African Year of Human Rights with a special focus on the rights of women.”

The statement described this year’s theme as “instructive,” considering the fact women and children are victims of armed conflicts.

“With about eight armed conflicts on the continent, we are well aware that those who would suffer are mostly women and children. They are the ones most likely to cross borders to safety therefore border officials need to protect them from abuse and extend humanitarian support.

“We also have on our hands a situation where a lot of our ladies are heading to the Gulf States in search of greener pastures with a number of them returning only to narrate harrowing stories. Similarly, the terrorist group, Boko Haram has also taken to abducting women and girls and in some cases using them as suicide bombers.

“It is therefore incumbent on border officials to make the borders a safe area for legitimate travellers and also ensure that the borders are not breached by criminals. We need to place impediments in the way of criminally-minded persons and also ensure that our operations at the borders serve as a deterrent to criminals.”

The statement also noted the deployment of technology in securing borders in the wake of 9/11 in “most countries”, calling for “border infrastructure to meet international standards.”