The Government of Denmark has donated cybersecurity equipment to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to enhance efforts in combating irregular migration through improved detection and investigation of document fraud.
This donation is part of the second phase of the Strengthening Border and Migration Management (SMMIG) initiative, aimed at bolstering border and migration management in Ghana.
The donated equipment includes; 80 laptops, 5 desktops, 63 software licenses (including antivirus, Microsoft Suite, and cybersecurity tools), 10 CCTV cameras, 4 CCTV monitors, 2 digital cameras and a 3-in-1 industrial copier.
Others include 2 printers, 6 IP phones, 6 uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), 6 steel cabinets, 11 desks/workstations, 18 office swivel chairs, 12 visitor chairs, 3 metal safes, 8 air conditioners, a generator set (12.5 kVA) and 2 IT infrastructure setups for LAN/WAN.
Addressing the gathering at the short ceremony, Comptroller General of GIS, Kwame Asuah Takyi, emphasised the crucial role of the new information technology and cybersecurity equipment in enhancing border and migration management in Ghana.
He highlighted that this donation is intended to strengthen the service’s capacity to combat irregular migration by improving the detection and investigation of document fraud at the regional level.
“The realisation of this objective led to the establishment of a fraud office under the Ashanti Regional Command in Kumasi, which serves the Ashanti, Bono, Bono East and Western Northern Regions,” he stated.
The project also aims to enhance the service’s response to irregular migration by strengthening its legal department’s capacity to investigate, prosecute, and secure conventions related to document fraud and other migration-related cases.
According to the Comptroller General, the project has facilitated the training of 30 prosecutors and 30 investigators at both basic and advanced levels, along with training for 25 officers in intelligence and subscriptions for digital legal resources.
Additionally, the project has assisted GIS in evaluating its strategic plan from 2018 to 2022, developing a new strategic plan for 2023 to 2029, and revising various Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for office assistants, which are currently being finalized.
The initiative has also contributed to enhancing the institutional and professional capacities of the service in cybersecurity. Ten officers successfully completed a cybersecurity certification program and recently visited the Czech Republic to study the operations of other immigration service cybersecurity units.
“The project has procured cybersecurity equipment, furniture, and other necessary items for establishing a dedicated office within the service.
“Today’s handover includes laptops for selected offices to aid in investigation, prosecution, monitoring, evaluation, and intelligence gathering,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to the Danish government for the financial assistance that has made these achievements possible, as well as to the International Center for Migration Policy Development. Deputy Denmark Ambassador, Vibeke Sandholm Pedersen, stated that since 2018 the Danish government has been supporting Ghana in managing migration by strengthening border and migration management.
She noted that the SMMIG project has been particularly effective in helping Ghana’s migration services combat irregular migration by enhancing the detection and investigation of document fraud at regional levels.
“The provision of essential tools and equipment will ensure the sustainability of the project’s outcomes. Recognizing that the GIS collects and processes sensitive traveler information daily, the project has established and operationalized a dedicated cybersecurity unit within the service,” she added.
Deputy Minister of the Interior Naana Eyiah Quansah commended both the Danish government and the International Center for Migration Policy for their ongoing support to Ghana’s Immigration Service over the years.
