About 50 Togolese have been returned to their country after attempting to enter Ghana illegally, the North East Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service has disclosed.

This follows the shutting down of the country’s borders from Sunday, 22 March 2020.

President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the entry closure as part of further measures taken by his government to tighten the noose on the coronavirus outbreak in Ghana.

Ghana has so far recorded 136 cases, 1 recovery and 3 deaths.

The government has also placed a ban on all public gatherings.

Speaking during a tour of the border with the North East Regional Minister, Solomon Boar, the Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service, Supt. William Addo said: “Since the directive, it has been our function that people don’t use this place. So far, we have returned more than 50 Togolese nationals who were trying to use this place since the closure of the border. About 50 Togolese nationals have been returned.

“As it is now, things are going very well; the problem we have now is lack of personnel but then we’re coordinating with our Togolese counterparts so that where we have difficulties, they will then be able to also fill the gap for us so that if we have to put one person there, then we’re sure that the Togolese have about two other people who are also assisting us.  So, we’re having that collaboration with them to ensure that effectively we close the borders.”

He also pledged the support of the GIS to ensure the closure of the borders.

“The nation is relying on us as [Ghana] Immigration Service, and we should not fail them and we will surely not fail them.”

For his part, the minister encouraged the Immigration Service not to relent on their efforts.

“We’re very impressed and we want to encourage you to that you keep on keeping on. It’s very critical because as His Excellency indicated, we’re not in normal times and any little slip will put all of us in a very difficult situation.

The minister also called on nationals of both countries to stay in their various countries and not attempt crossing each other’s borders in these critical times.

“As long as you’re called a Togolese, stay in Togo; as long as you’re called a Ghanaian, stay in Ghana”.