By Alex Ababio
Ghana’s Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has issued one of the strongest warnings yet against the growing practice of Ghanaians allegedly helping foreign nationals acquire Ghanaian identity documents, describing the trend as a major national security threat with implications for terrorism, organised crime and international reputation.
The warning comes at a time when Ghana is facing increasing pressure over irregular migration, porous borders, human trafficking networks and cross-border criminal activity within the West African sub-region.
During a two-day working visit to the Volta Region, the minister expressed concern over what he described as the “unpatriotic” conduct of some citizens who facilitate the registration of foreigners onto Ghana’s national database, including access to Ghana Cards, passports and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) records.
Speaking in Ho during separate engagements with religious leaders, chiefs and security stakeholders, Mr Mohammed-Mubarak warned that the practice could seriously undermine Ghana’s international standing and weaken national security systems.
«“Citizens must be vigilant and refrain from aiding undocumented migrants to circumvent the country’s immigration and identification systems,” the minister stated.»
According to him, some of the foreigners illegally entering Ghana later manage to acquire authentic Ghanaian documents through fraudulent means with the support of local collaborators.
The minister cited a recent case involving three Nigerians who were deported from Saudi Arabia after allegedly presenting Ghanaian passports upon arrival in Abuja, Nigeria. Although Ghanaian authorities have yet to publicly release the identities of the individuals involved, the incident has intensified concerns about the integrity of Ghana’s identification and passport systems.
Security analysts say such cases can damage Ghana’s credibility internationally, especially as countries increasingly tighten immigration and biometric verification systems amid rising global security threats.
Ghana’s Borders Under Pressure
The Volta Region has increasingly become a focal point in Ghana’s border security discussions due to its extensive frontier with Togo and the presence of numerous unapproved crossing routes.
According to the Interior Minister, security agencies have identified at least 102 unapproved inland crossing points in the Volta Region alone.
Investigations into human trafficking and migrant smuggling operations have reportedly revealed disturbing patterns.
Mr Mohammed-Mubarak disclosed that all 740 victims rescued from human trafficking and smuggling operations in 2025 entered Ghana through the Aflao and Akanu corridors in the Volta Region.
«“All of them entered undocumented and outside our official systems. This is a major security concern that requires the support of communities, chiefs and religious leaders,” he warned.»
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has in recent months intensified crackdowns on undocumented migration and transnational criminal activity.
In January 2026, the GIS confirmed the deportation of eight foreign nationals convicted for engaging in illegal QNET-related operations in Ghana. The individuals included nationals from Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Togo.
The Service stated that harbouring undocumented migrants constitutes an offence under Section 52(1)(b) of Ghana’s Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).
Security experts say the combination of porous borders, ECOWAS free movement protocols and weak local enforcement systems creates vulnerabilities that criminal syndicates can exploit.
Terrorism Concerns in West Africa
The Interior Minister’s concerns also reflect broader fears across West Africa over the spread of extremist violence from the Sahel into coastal states.
Countries including Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have experienced escalating jihadist attacks linked to groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
While Ghana has largely remained insulated from direct attacks, intelligence and security experts have repeatedly warned about infiltration risks through unapproved border routes.
Speaking at various national security forums in recent years, security analyst Professor Kwesi Aning of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has consistently warned that porous borders, illicit trafficking and identity fraud increase vulnerabilities to transnational organised crime and violent extremism.
Professor Aning has previously stressed in public security discussions that weak border governance in West Africa creates opportunities for criminal and extremist networks to exploit identity systems and move across countries undetected.
The Interior Minister echoed similar fears during his engagements in Ho.
«“The danger in such trends is not knowing the motive behind such illegality,” he said, especially “in an era of terrorism in the sub-region.”»
Foreign Nationals in Ghana’s Prisons
Another major revelation from the minister’s tour was the growing number of foreign inmates in Ghana’s prisons.
According to Mr Mohammed-Mubarak, Ghana currently has approximately 14,000 inmates serving sentences nationwide, with about 1,100 being foreign nationals.
He claimed that nearly 75 per cent of the foreign inmates are Nigerians.
Although prison authorities have not independently released a current nationality breakdown to verify the figures publicly, the statement has reignited debate over transnational crime, migration management and regional law enforcement cooperation.
The Ghana Prisons Service has in recent years struggled with overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure and resource constraints.
Public records from the Ghana Prisons Service show several correctional facilities already operating beyond intended capacity.
Experts argue that rising cross-border criminal activity — including cybercrime, drug trafficking, prostitution rings and document fraud — is increasingly placing pressure on Ghana’s criminal justice system.
Human Trafficking and Criminal Networks
The minister also raised alarm over the activities of human trafficking syndicates operating across Ghana’s borders.
According to him, traffickers are smuggling people into the country to engage in prostitution and other criminal enterprises.
International organisations including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have repeatedly identified West Africa as a major corridor for human trafficking, forced labour and migrant smuggling.
Trafficking routes often exploit weak border surveillance systems and the economic vulnerabilities of migrants seeking better opportunities.
Security officials say some criminal networks use fraudulent identity acquisition as part of their operational strategy to evade detection and establish illegal residency.
Religious Leaders Call for Peace
Amid the security concerns, religious and traditional leaders in the Volta Region used the minister’s visit to advocate peace and community harmony.
The Chairman of the Volta Regional Christian Council, Rev. Seth Mawutor, commended the peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the region.
However, he appealed to members of the Muslim community to resolve internal differences within the Zango communities.
The Sariki Zango, Ishau Turawa, also cautioned politicians against interfering in the selection of leaders in Zango communities.
According to him, political interference in leadership matters has historically contributed to tensions and instability.
At the Asogli Palace, the War Lord of Asogli, Togbe Adzie Lakle Howusu XII, pledged support for the government’s anti-crime efforts.
«“Our support would include providing security agencies with tip-offs on the activities of criminals and their hideouts,” he assured.»
Tourism, Investment and Security
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, linked the region’s economic ambitions directly to peace and security.
According to him, plans by the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) to position the Volta Region as Ghana’s tourism hub can only succeed in a peaceful environment.
The region has increasingly become a strategic tourism destination due to attractions including Wli Waterfalls, Mount Afadja, the Volta Lake and ecotourism initiatives.
Mr Gunu pledged closer collaboration with the Interior Ministry and security agencies to tackle criminal activity decisively.
«“The council would leave no stone unturned in its collaboration with the Ministry for the Interior to deal swiftly and ruthlessly with criminals,” he stated.»
A Growing National Debate
The Interior Minister’s remarks have now triggered broader national conversations about immigration enforcement, biometric integrity and border governance.
Analysts say Ghana faces the difficult task of balancing ECOWAS free movement principles with increasing regional security threats.
For many observers, the issue goes beyond migration alone. It raises deeper questions about corruption within documentation systems, border enforcement gaps and the role of local collaborators enabling transnational crime.
As Ghana expands its digital identification infrastructure and modernises immigration systems, security experts warn that safeguarding the credibility of national databases may become one of the country’s most critical national security priorities in the years ahead.c