As part of the WCO Fragile Border Action Plan endorsed by the WCO Council in June 2023, the second Working Group (WG2) under the WCO/JICA Master Trainer Programme (MTP) on Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) was held in Accra, Ghana, from 1 to 5 September 2025. The workshop brought together 15 participants from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo to strengthen regional capacity in GEOINT in support to border security and trade facilitation.
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT), is produced using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). GIS is a technology designed to create, manage, analyze, and visualize various types of data by linking information to specific locations on a map. By combining spatial data (where things are) with descriptive details (what those places are like), GIS provides a strong basis for mapping and analysis. The advantages of GIS include improved mapping and visualization, spatial analysis, efficient data management, and enhanced communication—all of which are valuable for Customs enforcement operations.
The event was inaugurated by Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan, Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), who underscored the strategic role of GEOINT in combatting smuggling and securing national borders. Ms. Momoko Suzuki, Chief Representative of the JICA Ghana Office, also delivered opening remarks, highlighting the programme’s alignment with the outcomes of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) held in August 2025 in Japan as well as with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). She highlighted that security is fundamental to economic development.
Over the five days, participants took part in Train-the-Trainer (TTT) sessions designed to enhance their ability to design impactful training programmes, set clear learning objectives, adapt to diverse learning styles, and evaluate effectiveness. These sessions aimed to equip them with skills to become future GEOINT trainers within their administrations.
In parallel, participants deepened their technical expertise in GEOINT. The agenda included QGIS troubleshooting, vector risk analysis, digital elevation models (DEM), geolocation techniques, flow mapping, and viewshed analysis. These hands-on sessions enabled participants to apply advanced geospatial tools to real-world Customs scenarios, enhancing the participants’ operational capabilities. They also advanced the development of GEOINT training material which once finalized, will become the first-ever Customs-focused GEOINT training resource.
At the conclusion of WG2, participants updated their work plan to better achieve the objectives of the MTP and expressed their gratitude to the WCO and JICA for the opportunity, and to the experts for their dedication and knowledge-sharing.
The WCO and JICA acknowledged the strong ownership and commitment demonstrated by participants and reaffirmed their support for African Customs administrations in building sustainable GEOINT capacity.