The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has raised concern over what he described as the growing involvement of some “unpatriotic” Ghanaians in facilitating the illegal entry and registration of foreign nationals in the country.
According to the minister, some citizens are assisting foreigners to acquire details on Ghana’s national database and helping them cross into the country through unauthorized routes.
He made the remarks during the first day of his two-day working visit to the Volta Region on Monday, June 1, 2026. As part of the tour, he paid a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, at the Regional Coordinating Council in Ho. He also met with religious and traditional leaders at the Ho Residency and later visited chiefs at the Asogli Palace in Ho-Bankoe.
The Interior Minister, as reported by graphic.com.gh, warned that the motives of individuals entering Ghana illegally remain largely unknown, posing a significant security risk, especially at a time when terrorism continues to threaten parts of the West African sub-region.
He further noted that the increasing influx of undocumented foreigners was damaging Ghana’s international reputation.
Citing a recent example, Muntaka disclosed that Saudi Arabian authorities deported three Nigerians who were found carrying Ghanaian passports upon arrival in Abuja.
He called on Ghanaians to remain vigilant and support efforts by the security agencies to curb illegal migration and related criminal activities.
The minister also raised concerns about human trafficking, stating that traffickers often exploit vulnerable individuals by luring them into Ghana and forcing them into prostitution and other forms of criminal activity for financial gain.
Providing statistics on the prison population, Muntaka revealed that out of approximately 14,000 inmates currently in Ghana’s prisons, about 1,100 are foreign nationals, with Nigerians accounting for 75 percent of that number.
Touching on drug-related crimes, he said the Volta Region had gained notoriety for large-scale marijuana cultivation, a situation he believes is tarnishing the region’s image.
The minister stressed that the Volta Region’s extensive border with Togo makes it strategically important, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening security and maintaining peace in the area.
At a meeting with religious leaders at the Ho Residency, the Chairman of the Volta Regional Christian Council, Rev. Seth Mawutor, commended the peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the region. He urged members of the Muslim community to continue fostering peaceful relations with their neighbours, particularly within Zongo communities.
Meanwhile, the Sariki Zongo, Ishau Turawa, appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to avoid interfering in the selection of leaders within Zongo communities. He argued that political interference in leadership matters had, in the past, contributed to tensions and conflicts.
At the Asogli Palace, the Asogli War Lord, Togbe Adzie Lakle Howusu XII, assured the minister of the traditional authorities’ support in combating crime.
“Our support may come in the form of providing security agencies with information on criminal activities and the hideouts of suspected offenders,” he stated.
For his part, the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, said the Volta Regional Coordinating Council’s vision of transforming the region into a hub for tourism and accelerated development could only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace, security and unity.
He pledged the region’s continued collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior to ensure that criminal activities are dealt with swiftly and decisively.
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