(Togo First) – The ministers of infrastructure of Togo and Ghana held a meeting in Noepe last Tuesday, October 31. The meeting focused on the two countries’ collaboration to fully operationalize the Noepe-Akanu juxtaposed border checkpoint.
Once it is fully operational, the checkpoint, which has been active since 2018, will handle customs, immigration, and security operations, thus facilitating the free movement of goods and people across the border.
“There have been bilateral agreements between the two countries. We are therefore called upon to know who is taking charge of what, as well as the position of ECOWAS”, said Sediko Douka, Commissioner in charge of Infrastructure, Energy and Digitization at the ECOWAS Commission.
During the meeting, the two sides also discussed the provision of logistics, especially electricity, street lighting, water supply, internet, and communication tools, for better and more effective operation of the PJC.
“We have therefore made a statement of implementation of commitments and all this, on a transitional basis, pending the recruitment of a manager who will manage the whole site. On the ECOWAS side, we are also going to make commitments to support the two countries, in bearing the costs,” added Sediko Douka.
Built on a 17-ha piece of land, the Noepe-Akanu checkpoint was financed by the European Union and initiated by the ECOWAS. It is subdivided into several zones for commercial vehicle and passenger operations, as well as cargo handling, freight forwarding, and livestock inspection.
Source : Togo First
