By Hebrews Pouyeli Kumako
The Paramount Chief of the Aflao Traditional Area and President of the Aflao Traditional Council, Togbui Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti V, has strongly challenged remarks made by Ghana’s Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, regarding the existence of more than 100 unauthorized entry routes in the Volta Region.
The Minister made the comments during his official visit to Aflao on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, where he interacted with security agencies and stakeholders on border security, migration management, and transnational crime.
While acknowledging government’s responsibility to secure the country’s borders, Togbui Fiti V described the characterization of the routes as simply “illegal” as an oversimplification of a complex historical and socio-economic reality that predates the establishment of modern Ghana.
In a detailed statement issued following the Minister’s visit, the Paramount Chief argued that many of the routes being discussed are centuries-old pathways used by indigenous communities long before colonial authorities partitioned Africa and created the modern borders between Ghana and Togo.
According to him, these routes historically served as links between families, farms, markets, fishing communities, shrines, and traditional settlements that shared common ancestry and cultural ties.
“The people of Aflao and Ketu did not create these borders. Colonial powers drew the lines and divided one people into two countries. Our communities merely inherited the situation,” Togbui Fiti V stated. He stressed that many residents on both sides of the border still maintain family, cultural, and economic relationships that have existed for generations. The traditional ruler expressed concern that the latest comments revive painful memories of previous allegations made against chiefs and residents of the Volta Region.
According to him, during previous administrations, traditional leaders including Togbe Afede XIV and other respected chiefs were accused of facilitating illegal entries through border communities for political purposes.
Togbui Fiti V noted that such accusations were never proven but succeeded in creating negative perceptions about the region and its people.
He revealed that at the time, the Standing Committee of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs formally challenged government to establish a border re-demarcation and review mechanism to address longstanding misconceptions about the border enclave.
The Aflao Paramount Chief emphasized that border communities contribute enormously to the national economy through agriculture, fishing, transportation, and trade. He noted that thousands of farmers and traders use these communities to transport foodstuffs and agricultural produce that eventually reach major cities, including Accra.
According to him, the overwhelming majority of residents are hardworking citizens whose daily activities support both local and national development.
“Our people are farmers, traders, fishermen, transport operators, and entrepreneurs. They should not be portrayed as criminals simply because they live near the border,” he stressed.
Togbui Fiti V also used the occasion to highlight broader security concerns affecting the border enclave.He pointed to increasing incidents of Armed robbery attacks, Violent crimes, Murders within the Aflao enclave, Smuggling activities, Human trafficking concerns and Alleged corruption at some border points
According to him, these issues require serious attention from government and security agencies.He argued that criminal networks often exploit weaknesses in border management systems and public frustrations with official processes.
The Paramount Chief further questioned how more than 100 unauthorized routes could have existed for years without effective intervention from successive governments and security institutions.
“If these routes exist as claimed, then government must explain how they have remained operational for decades under the watch of various administrations and security agencies,” he said. He called for a shift away from blame and toward practical solutions.
Togbui Fiti V urged government to work closely with traditional authorities, community leaders, and residents in designing effective border management strategies.
According to him, local leaders possess valuable knowledge that can assist security agencies in identifying genuine criminal activities while protecting legitimate social and economic interactions. He emphasized that border communities should be viewed as partners in national security rather than suspects.
The Paramount Chief expressed hope that the Interior Minister’s visit to Aflao would result in constructive engagement and a better appreciation of the realities confronting border communities. He called on government to invest in Modern border surveillance systems, Additional immigration personnel, Better logistics for security agencies, Intelligence gathering mechanisms, Community policing initiatives, and Economic development projects for border communities
According to him, sustainable security can only be achieved through cooperation, trust, and development rather than public narratives that stigmatize entire communities.
Source News Volta
