Ghana, Togo vow to tackle trans-border crimes

Ghana and Togo have vowed to tackle trans-border crimes an d charged their security chiefs to meet as a matter of urgency to examine all aspects of co-operation to clamp down on them.

President John Evans Atta Mills of Ghana and Faure Gnassingbe of Togo also reite rated the need to reconstitute and convene their Joint Border Demarcation Commission within the first quarter of 2010 in response to the security challenges along their common borders.



In a communique agreed at the end of President Gnassingbe's two-day visit to Gha na Wednesday, the two countries identified cross-border crimes as drug trafficking, illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, human and currency trafficking.

The two countries expressed the conviction to enhance their bilateral relations and co-operation and directed their Ministers of Foreign Affairs to co-ordinate t he identified areas of co-operation and convene the Permanent Joint Commission f o r Co-operation not later than 15 December 2009.

They reaffirmed their determination to accelerate the process of regional integr ation in promoting the free movement of persons, goods and services and to inten s ify trade and economic relations between their two countries and within the sub- r egion.

â?They noted with great satisfaction the contribution that the Co-Prosperity Al liance Zone comprising Benin, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo could make in accelerating
the process of regional integration,  the communique said.



On the political reforms Togo, the two sides said they appreciated the recent re forms in the Electoral Code and the restructuring of the Independent Electoral C o mmission and their impact on future elections.

President Mills reaffirmed Ghana's preparedness to continue to support Togo' s electoral process through sharing of experiences and the provision of technical assistance as might be required and called for closer collaboration of the electoral commissions of the two countries.

These developments should strengthen the basis for ensuring a calm political environment and reconciliation for a free, transparent, fair and violence-free presidential election due in 2010, the communique said.



During President Gnassingbe's visit, he toured the Asogli Power Plant, an indepe ndent power producer, at Kpone, near Tema, the Pioneer Food Cannery in Tema and t he Akosombo Hydro Electric Dam.