The minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, has asserted that the Ghana Immigration Service must always be resourced to deliver its mandate.
The minister said this during the handing over of radio communication devices, document fraud detection equipment, motorbikes and some border patrol equipment at the headquarters of GIS yesterday.
“The Ghana Immigration Service has an enormous task and they must be constantly and consistently resourced to deliver on this mandate,” he stated.
He indicated that the government would continue to resource the Service to enable it deliver on its mandate, but would also welcome assistance in diverse forms to help the security outfit, as effective and efficient management of migration requires concerted efforts.
He expressed gratitude as he received the donation on behalf of the Ghana Immigration Service, from the European Union Trust Fund for Africa, in collaboration with International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).
Mr Quartey assured that the motorbikes and the patrol accoutrement being received will enhance patrols of selected borders, the document fraud detection devices will also enhance document verification processes, whilst the communication equipment will augment existing ones and improve upon information dissemination within the Service.
“I am, therefore, pleased to convey our gratitude as a Ministry to the European Union for its support to the Ghana Immigration Service over the years. International Centre for Migration Policy Development for facilitating these processes and for being a wonderful support to the Ghana Immigration Service over the years.”
This gesture, he said, will produce a chain reaction for other organizations to follow suit in supporting the Ghana Immigration Service’s efforts in securing our borders and the general security of the country.
The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kwame Asuah Takyi, who also addressed the gathering at the ceremony, said the Service over the years had collaborated with the European Union and selected countries within the European Union to implement very strategic projects to reinforce its strategic position and mandate.
Throughout all these years, Mr. Takyi noted that the EU had remained steadfast in its quest to ensure that the Ghana Immigration Service is resourced to execute its mandate and was particularly most grateful for this support.
This donation, according to him, would go a long way to complement the government’s efforts in resourcing the Service.
“As a Service, we are heartened and committed to working together with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the Service becomes a model Immigration Service for Migration Management and National Security and we will leave no stone unturned in nipping irregular migration in the bud.”
The representative of ICMPD, Lulia Jolley-Socea who took turn to also address the gathering admitted that this project, funded by the European Union Trust Fund and ICMP, in partnership with the GIS, represents a crucial endeavour towards enhancing border security and management in Ghana.
She assured that they would remain committed to supporting the GIS to effectively utilise the equipment, strengthening their institutional capacity, and fostering greater cooperation and collaboration among all stakeholders involved in border management.
Madam Jolley-Socea was confident that the equipment being handed over will have a lasting impact on the capacity of the GIS and will contribute “to our shared goal of ensuring safe, secure, and well-managed borders for all.”
