GIS Comptroller-General leads peace talks in Hamile after deadly border clash
The Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Samuel Basintale, has led peace talks with community leaders in Hamile in the Upper West Region following a deadly explosion and clashes between residents and security personnel.
The engagement was aimed at restoring calm and rebuilding relations between the community and security agencies after an incident on November 3, 2026, at an unapproved border route known as Mountain Back 2.
The incident reportedly involved a tricycle carrying dynamite and resulted in the death of an immigration officer and other persons, while 11 civilians sustained injuries during subsequent confrontations with security personnel.
Mr Basintale’s visit began with a briefing by regional security officials before he travelled to Hamile to meet immigration personnel, traditional authorities, youth leaders and representatives of the Hamile Development Committee.
The Upper West Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Yiribaare, who represented the Regional Security Council chairman, briefed the delegation on the security situation.
He said nine of the civilians injured during the clashes had been discharged and scheduled for medical reviews.
He added that the curfew remained in force and security personnel were continuing enforcement, while an integrated security team remained in Hamile to support efforts to restore peace.
DCOP Yiribaare also welcomed the limited reopening of the border, although business activities had yet to resume fully.
Comptroller-General warns against prolonged border closure
Mr Basintale said prolonged closure of the border could worsen congestion and create additional security challenges, particularly because of the volume of cargo traffic passing through Hamile.
He noted that Mali had increasingly relied on the route for cargo transportation and warned that even a six-hour closure could lead to significant traffic build-up.
“Mali is now using here a lot for their cargo, and if you close it for even six hours, look at the traffic that builds up there. I don't think it is in the interest; that could even compound our security situation,” he said.
“Because if people mass up between the vehicles, that becomes difficult to control. So it is better to process them quickly and let the trucks move than to lock it for whatever reason.”
He expressed deep concern over the use of unapproved bush routes by smugglers to traffic weapons and synthetic drugs such as Tramadol, which he warned were destroying the local youth. He challenged the community to stop shielding those involved in such illicit activities.
Addressing the community's grievances about unprofessional conduct by some officers, Mr Basintale acknowledged that prolonged postings could lead to complacency. He promised to transfer personnel who had overstayed their postings and committed to helping clear the backlog of trucks.
Crucially, he announced a new "Community Engagement and Policing" initiative for the region. He also promised to recommend the lifting of the restrictive curfew to the Minister of the Interior by Monday, provided local leaders could guarantee sustained peace.
The visit concluded with a sombre trip to the scene of the explosion at Mountain Back 2. There, the Comptroller-General and his entourage witnessed firsthand the sheer destructive force of the blast, a stark reminder of the fragile line between security operations and tragedy at the border.
Immigration commander recounts events leading to clashes
At the Hamile border post, the Comptroller-General was received by the Centre Commander, Chief Superintendent Mohammed Abdul Mananu, who briefed him on the events of November 3.
According to the commander, the incident began when two immigration officers attempted to stop a tricycle allegedly transporting dynamite along the Mountain Back 2 route.
An explosion followed, killing one officer and leaving another seriously injured.
The situation subsequently escalated, with a group of angry youths besieging the immigration office, throwing stones and burning tyres.
The arrival of military and police reinforcements was followed by further confrontations and gunfire, leaving 11 civilians injured.
The Upper West Regional Police Commander said the situation had since stabilised, with residents cooperating with security personnel and the revised curfew of 10:00 pm to 4:00 am being enforced without resistance.
Community leaders appeal for relief
At a meeting with traditional authorities, youth representatives and members of the Hamile Development Committee, community leaders expressed regret over the violence and called for measures to restore normal life.
The Happa Divisional Chief, Hiller Dyaka Thomas Badukun III, speaking through the Assembly Member for the Happa Electoral Area, said the curfew had severely affected economic activities in the town.
He said restrictions had made it difficult for women to cook and sell food, while cross-border trade had been disrupted.
Chairman of the Hamile Development Committee, Ibrahim Mohammed, apologised on behalf of the community for the unrest and appealed for the immediate clearance of cargo trucks stranded at the border.
He said the disruption had caused hardship for residents, particularly women and children.
A youth representative, Mohammed Ibrahim, also assured the Comptroller-General that the youth were committed to preventing a recurrence of the violence.
He appealed for the curfew to be lifted and urged immigration officers to exercise greater patience and restraint in their interactions with residents and cross-border travellers.
Basintale promises engagement, possible curfew review
Addressing the community, Mr Basintale urged residents to resolve disagreements with security personnel through dialogue rather than violence.
“We shouldn’t always come to war-war, but to jaw-jaw for peace to always prevail,” he said.
He stressed that the presence of security agencies, including Customs, Immigration, the Military and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), was intended to protect the country and its people.
The Comptroller-General also expressed concern about the use of unapproved routes for smuggling weapons and synthetic drugs, including Tramadol, warning that such activities were harmful to the youth and the wider community.
He urged residents to stop shielding people involved in illicit activities.
Responding to complaints about the conduct of some officers, Mr Basintale acknowledged that prolonged postings could lead to complacency. He promised to transfer personnel who had overstayed their postings and assured the community that efforts would be made to clear the backlog of cargo trucks.
He also announced plans to introduce a Community Engagement and Policing initiative in the region.
Mr Basintale further pledged to recommend to the Minister of the Interior by Monday that the curfew be lifted, provided local leaders could guarantee sustained peace.
Comptroller-General visits bereaved families, explosion site
As part of the visit, Mr Basintale and his delegation met families of civilians who died in the incident to offer their condolences.
The delegation also visited the Mountain Back 2 site where the explosion occurred to assess the damage.
The engagement forms part of efforts to restore calm in Hamile, where residents and business operators continue to grapple with the effects of the violence, border restrictions and curfew.
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