The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has commissioned a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence, a modern 84-unit residential facility, an executive lodge and a fully equipped clinic at South Odorkor, in the Greater Accra Region.
The event, which took place on Monday May 5, 2025 brought together top government officials and security service personnel to celebrate what was described as a significant milestone in Ghana’s quest to improve migration and border security management.
The commissioning ceremony was performed by the Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, with the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr. Samuel Basintale Amadu and other senior officials of the GIS in attendance.
In his address, Alhaji Mubarak underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening the logistical and infrastructure base of the country’s security services, particularly the Ghana Immigration Service, whose role in national security continues to grow in importance amid evolving migration dynamics.
“This project highlights our nation’s commitment to enhancing migration and border security management. It is not just a facility, it is a demonstration of our dedication to capacity building, innovation and effective service delivery in the area of migration,” the Minister stated.
The newly commissioned residential facility comprises 84 apartments, split evenly between two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, aimed at easing the accommodation challenges faced by officers of the GIS.
The Centre of Excellence, on the other hand, features executive lecture halls, a Cafeteria, executive hostels and a medical clinic. The centre is expected to serve as a hub for post-entry training and advanced capacity-building for immigration officers and partner institutions.
Alhaji Mubarak praised the previous administration for initiating the construction of the project and acknowledged the efforts of King’s School Ltd., the Contractor, for delivering the infrastructure to standard.
However, he emphasised the need for a strict maintenance culture to sustain the facility’s quality over time.
“Most people don’t even want to rent their buildings to security agencies because of the perception that they do not maintain properties well. I want each and every officer who will live in these apartments to treat them like they built it with their own money. Take care of them, clean them and report minor faults promptly. This is the only way we can preserve our investments.”
He added that quarterly inspections would be conducted to ensure adherence to occupancy regulations and that officers who fail to comply would be evicted.
“If you are not ready to maintain your space, you will be evicted. It’s as simple as that,” he stated.
For his part, the Comptroller-General Samuel Basintale Amadu expressed profound gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama’s administration for initiating the project and to the current Minister for the Interior for his unwavering support.
“Honourable Minister, your presence here today testifies to your personal commitment to addressing the housing needs of the GIS. This facility will significantly enhance the morale and productivity of our officers,” he said.
The Comptroller-General also paid tribute to his predecessors, including Mr. Felix Yaw-Sapong and Mr Kwame Asuah Takyi, for their invaluable roles in advancing the project from its conception to completion.
He noted that the Centre of Excellence would help address the capacity needs of the service by offering advanced training tailored to modern migration challenges.
“It will strengthen our ability to manage migration effectively, ensure the safety and dignity of migrants, and promote national security and development,” he said.
On the residential front, Mr. Amadu emphasized that the new apartments would improve the welfare of GIS personnel and reduces the logistical bottlenecks associated with staff deployment and accommodation.
As a measure to preserve the facilities, he announced that quarterly inspections would be conducted by the State Department to monitor the condition of the apartments.
“If you’re found to be keeping your place poorly, you will be ejected. We are not going to compromise on that,” he stressed.
The commissioning of these critical infrastructure projects forms part of the government’s broader plan to improve the welfare and operational efficiency of security agencies across the country.
The Centre of Excellence is expected to become a model for training and innovation in border and migration management, while the residential complex and clinic provide essential support for officers and their families.
