The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has opened a three-day legal workshop aimed at enhancing the expertise of its legal officers in public contract management on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
The training, organised by the Service’s Legal, Research and Monitoring Directorate, brings together legal officers from across the country and features facilitators from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Finance, procurement experts and seasoned practitioners from both the public and private sectors.
The workshop, themed: “Enhancing Expertise in Public Contract Management” is designed to equip participants with practical skills in contract drafting, public procurement law, risk assessment, confidentiality and compliance, while deepening their appreciation of ethical governance and prudent resource management.
In his remarks, the Director of Legal, Research and Monitoring, Mr. Philip Takyi, said the initiative was a deliberate investment in strengthening one of the Service’s most critical pillars, contract governance.
“Our Service is on a steady path towards entrenching a culture of ethical governance, prudent resource management and strict adherence to standards.
This workshop, therefore, represents a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening institutional decision-making and contract governance,” he noted.
He expressed gratitude to the facilitators and senior colleagues who volunteered to share their experiences, describing their participation as a testament to their commitment to the growth of GIS.
Mr. Philip Takyi particularly thanked the Solicitor-General and senior officials of the Attorney General’s Department for their consistent guidance. He also commended the Ministry of the Interior for its continuous support to the Service.
“The Legal Directorate remains fully committed to supporting prudent corporate practices within GIS and enhancing institutional integrity,” he assured.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for the Interior, the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry, Mrs Doreen P. Annan, commended the GIS leadership for the forward-looking initiative.
She underscored the importance of legal capacity in public institutions, especially in an era where government contracts are increasingly complex and high-value.
“To sustain its mandates, the legal officers of GIS must be fully equipped to manage the complex and evolving demands of public sector contracts. Well-structured contracts protect the interests of the state, promote institutional credibility and ensure value for money, while poorly managed agreements risk financial loss, inefficiencies and reputational damage,” she stated.
Mrs. Annan urged participants to take full advantage of the program. “This seminar is both timely and strategic.
“I encourage you to ask questions, challenge assumptions and leave with renewed confidence to provide sound legal support for the service and the nation at large,” she said.
The Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Mr Samuel Basintale Amadu, noted that the Service had already begun implementing reforms in its operational and administrative areas, with more training programs lined up for the year.
He emphasised that strengthening the legal wing of the Service was critical to reducing litigation costs and ensuring efficiency.
“With this facility now in place, we will not have to rely on hotels and external venues, saving costs while maintaining high standards. This is part of prudent management of our resources,” he explained.
The workshop is expected to foster knowledge sharing, build stronger networks, and equip participants with practical skills to enhance the Service’s operations nationwide. It is also intended to serve as a model for similar training programs across other agencies under the Ministry of the Interior.
