Border insecurities as an impediment to the ECOWAS: the case of Ghana

Darko, Prince Kwao Ansah (2024) Border insecurities as an impediment to the ECOWAS: the case of Ghana. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Regional and sub-regional bodies are established to achieve specific objectives necessitated by the region's needs. However, these regional bodies and their instruments are sometimes thwarted by problems that make it difficult for the realization of their objectives. These problems or challenges affect member countries of the region or sub-region that deleteriously affects the regional or sub-regional body or organization. The study sought to examine how insecurities at the borders of Ghana impede Ghana’s implementation of the ECOWAS treaty. As the ECOWAS envisions a borderless West Africa that is feasible through the de-securitization of borders, member countries are securitizing their borders due to intractable border-related crimes in the sub-region. The study relied on secondary data, which comprised a review of existing literature on Ghana’s border security, the government of Ghana and ECOWAS documents, Acts of Parliament on border-related issues, books, and articles related to border securities. The insecurities at the borders of Ghana are theorized using the securitization theory to identify how insecurities that pose a threat, danger, harm, and menace warrant speech acts by securitizing actors in dealing with the insecurities. The study made some intriguing revelations which include; the establishment that insecurities at the borders of Ghana impede the realization of the aims and objectives of the ECOWAS, and Ghana, through its state capacity securitizes its border-related issues through the enactment of laws. The study also revealed that securitization of borders affects the smooth implementation of the ECOWAS treaty. It was revealed that as Ghana securitizes its borders, it strengthens or tightens its border laws thereby closing its borders to its immediate neighbors and the member states of the ECOWAS. This contradicts the objective of the ECOWAS treaty.

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