Bolgatanga (Upper East), April 

Member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been urged to take definite steps towards sub-regional integration.

ECOWAS states must muster the political will to speed up sub-regional monetary integration, ensure the free movement of citizens, goods and services, and join forces in fighting cross-border crimes, a Communiqu=E9 issued at the end of a one-day meeting in Bolgatanga between delegations from the Upper East region of Ghana and Nahouri province of Burkina Faso on promoting good neighbourliness.

The Communiqu=E9, which was signed by the Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Amidu Sulemana and his Nahouri province counterpart, Mr Jean Christopha Compaore, underscored the need for closer collaboration between security agencies of the two countries in crime prevention. It noted that the stealing of cattle and livestock, and the destructive activities of alien herdsmen must be given a serious look so that these activities do not compromise the existing cordial relations between the two countries.

The Burkinabe delegation disclosed that a total of 629 cattle were recorded to have been stolen from their side of the border between 1994 and April this year, and that this year alone 279 stolen goats and sheep have been moved from Burkina Faso into Ghana. These activities, according to the Burkinabe security authorities, are being carried out by organised armed gangsters operating along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border, especially in the Nahouri and Zabre provinces of Burkina Faso and the Kassena-Nankana and Bawku West districts in Ghana. The Burkinabes commended the Upper East regional Police Command for sharing information, which led to the arrest of two notorious cattle rustlers who operate between the two countries.

The two delegations were drawn from Ghana's Customs, Excise and Preventive Services (CEPS), the Burkinabe Military police, Immigration, Police and Veterinary Services headed by the Regional Ministers of the Upper East and Nahouri province.

Present at the meeting were Miss Clothilda Amenga Etego, district chief executive for Kassena-Nankana, Mr Sulley Agholisi, Bawku West district chief executive, and officials of the regional co-ordinating council.