Anum chiefs reject move to remove Asikuma Immigration, Customs barriers

The Anum Traditional Council has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of the Interior to reconsider any proposal to dismantle immigration and customs barriers at Asikuma in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region.

The call comes in response to recent comments by Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, who reportedly urged the removal of checkpoints at Asikuma, Juapong and Sogakope during a meeting with President Mahama.

Boundary

At a press conference, the Apagyahene of the Anum Traditional Area, Nenye Amo Kotokro, underscored that Asikuma lies geographically and traditionally within the Anum Traditional Area in the Eastern Region, not in the Volta Region as may have been suggested.

“The presence of immigration and customs barriers at Asikuma has helped curb criminal activities on the Ho–Atimpoku highway. Their removal will only pave the way for criminals to operate with ease,” Nenye Amo Kotokro cautioned.

The Council further emphasised the need to respect traditional boundaries, noting that several communities and landmarks—including Osiabura, Amesianya Kope, Kpolukope, Dangbekope, Kisiflui, Sanga, Ayiwataa, Kubeku, Abeboni, Adabo, Nkwantayehu, Fankyirinkor, and Kantinka Mountain—fall under the jurisdiction of the Anum Traditional Area. This clarification, they said, was necessary to prevent misrepresentations in public discourse.

In addition, hawkers in Asikuma have appealed to government not to dismantle the checkpoints, arguing that the inspections create opportunities to sell goods to passengers, which serve as an important source of livelihood for their families.