Accra, April 23, – The Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Mr Samuel Basintale Amadu, has warned that the continued use of unsafe migration routes is costing lives and demands urgent coordinated action.
He said Ghana remains a country of origin, transit and destination for migrants, with hundreds of thousands of movements processed annually through its borders.
Mr Amadu made the remarks at the 2nd Centre for Migration Studies (CMS) @ 20 International Conference in Accra on the theme: “Bridging the Gap? Rethinking Engagement between Migration Research, Policies and Practices”.
He said major entry points, including the Accra International Airport and land borders such as Aflao, Paga, Hamile and Elubo, form part of a complex mobility system that requires efficient management while safeguarding human dignity.
He expressed concern about the persistence of irregular migration, noting that many migrants continue to rely on dangerous routes that expose them to exploitation, abuse and death.
He cited the Central Mediterranean Route as one of the most dangerous pathways, where thousands have died in recent years.
Mr Amadu also drew attention to emerging migration drivers, including climate-related displacement, pointing to flooding in northern Ghana, coastal erosion and instability in the Sahel as factors increasing movement within and across borders.
He noted a gap between academic research and operational needs, saying frontline officers often lack timely, practical data for decision-making.
“To effectively manage migration, we need research that is accessible, timely and directly applicable to operations on the ground,” he said.
He called for stronger collaboration between research institutions, the Ghana Immigration Service and partners such as the International Organization for Migration to improve tools, policy briefs and data systems for migration governance.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mrs Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, also stressed the need for closer integration between migration research and policy implementation, saying decisions must reflect real conditions on the ground.
She noted that internal migration patterns, especially among young people from towns such as Koforidua, Nsawam and Akosombo, continue to shape urban movement and economic pressures.
Professor Mary Boatemaa Setrana, Director of the Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana, called for structural reforms to strengthen African-led research in migration governance and policy formulation.
GHBUSS
24 April 2026
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