The curfew imposed on Hamile in the Upper West Region will remain in force until residents provide firm assurances that security personnel deployed to the area will no longer face threats, Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Samuel Basintale Amadu, has said.
Mr Amadu said government would not lift the restrictions while threats against security officers persisted, stressing that the safety of personnel responsible for maintaining law and order remained a priority.
His comments come amid growing demands from traditional authorities and youth leaders for the curfew to be lifted, arguing that it is disrupting businesses and the daily lives of residents.
The GIS chief made the remarks during a visit to the border community following a November 3 explosion that claimed the life of an immigration officer and left another critically injured.
The officers were reportedly pursuing suspected smugglers along an unauthorised route known as Mountain Batu when the explosion occurred.
The incident was followed by violent disturbances, during which an angry crowd reportedly besieged the immigration office, pelted it with stones and set tyres ablaze. Clashes between residents and security personnel subsequently left 11 people injured.
Government initially imposed a curfew from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. However, following reports of relative calm, the restrictions were reviewed to 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Mr Amadu disclosed that the National Security Council was prepared to consider lifting the curfew if community leaders could guarantee the cooperation of residents, particularly the youth, with security personnel.
He said reports of threats against some officers, including individuals who had allegedly been specifically targeted, made it difficult for security agencies to guarantee their safety.
He called on traditional authorities and youth leaders to intensify engagements with residents to prevent further confrontations and restore peace.
Beyond the security concerns, the Comptroller-General cautioned that prolonged disruption at the Hamile border could have far-reaching economic implications.
He explained that the border is an important transit route for cargo destined for Mali, warning that a prolonged closure could result in severe congestion and create additional security challenges.
He urged residents to cooperate with security agencies, noting that their presence was essential to protecting Ghana’s territorial integrity, facilitating legitimate trade and maintaining national security.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Chief of Hamile, Hilla Dyaka Thomas Badakum III, welcomed the Comptroller-General’s visit and reaffirmed the commitment of traditional authorities to working with security agencies to resolve the tensions and restore lasting peace in the area.
