Togo opens land borders two years after they were closed
A huge sigh of relief for migrant petty traders as they can now move freely between Ghana and Togo after the Togolese government also opened its land borders over a month after Ghana had taken the lead.
Following two years of closure, the borders were opened at midnight on Tuesday, May 17 2022. Many countries the world over including those in the West African subregion closed their borders in a quest to fight the spread of Covid-19.
The situation took a severe toll on border communities whose businesses had to come to a standstill.
A visit to the border during its closure exposed the fact that many migrants were forced to pay monies to some middlemen who in some cases connived with border authorities to use unapproved routes to move between Ghana and Togo.
Meanwhile, residents on the Ghana side of the border were agitated at the government’s unwillingness to open the borders. The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo opened the country’s land borders in March 2022.
According to a statement, from the Togolese government, it is effectively opening the land borders to allow free flow of traffic.
Legislator for Ketu South Constituency, Abla Dzifa Gomashie described the border opening on both sides as “a great relief for the people”.
She urged those crossing the border to carry along their national identity cards and Covid vaccination cards to make the process seamless for border officials.
