Aflao, Dec. 22, GNA - The Aflao Sector of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has deployed its personnel at a number of unauthorized routes along the country's South Eastern border with the Republic of Togo. This was under general plans to offset illegal activities, including smuggling by deviants, who might wish to take advantage of the increase in human traffic along the frontier in the advent of the Christmas holidays.

A Comptroller of Immigration, Mr. Felix Sarpong, the second in-charge of the Aflao sector stated this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during a visit on Friday morning to the border to observe the holiday mood there. He said the 24-hour a day exercise apart from the services in their area of operation, will supplement the operation of sister agencies, including the Police Service and Customs, Excise and Preventive Service in the Aflao area. He stated that there was an encouraging hold on crime in the area despite the increased number of travellers making it through the frontier this time. He named students, church groups on conventions and the business community as the main group of people crossing the border.

Mr. Sarpong said number of West African citizens, who overstayed their 90 days maximum ECOWAS Stay Permit in the country were fined various amounts of money, while on their way out for the Christmas in their home countries. A source close to the Ghana Police at Aflao confirmed the hold on crime in the area but said they were avoiding complacency. The GNA noted free flowing movement of people along the border with no visible signs of extortion and harassment by security personnel at both ends of the frontier during the visit there.