Cote d’Ivoire opens Elubo border

It has been about three weeks now since the border at Elubo was closed following deadly attacks in the Ivorian town of Noe. The authorities in that opened the border briefly but closed it again two weeks ago causing distress to Ghanaians trying to enter the country to transact business.

Persons who trade across the border say their businesses had been affected by the development.

Some of them who spoke to Joy News after the border was reopened could not hide their excitement.

One of them said, “It has been opened, we are all happy that life has returned to the border” as commuters shuttle between the two countries.

Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Immigration Service, Francis Palm-Deti told Joy News the Ivorian authorities were yet to confirm whether the opening will be permanent.

He said the border was opened based on a presidential directive.

“This morning at 7 o’clock the Ivorian authorities at the border came to the Ghanaian side to inform us that they have received a presidential directive to have the borders opened. As to whether it is going to be temporal or permanent we are yet to know.”

Many people are not aware of the opening, he said, noting that traffic at the place was yet to build up as at Monday noon.

Ivorian authorities are also yet to visit the border to brief officials there on reasons for the opening of the border.

The border is now opened, people are moving “without hindrance”, he noted.

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