The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS)has honoured and promoted four officers in recognition of their courage and selfishness during a rescue operation.The officers exhibited exceptional bravery while attempting to save three fellow colleagues, who had been targeted by unidentified assailants in Bawku on April 3, 2023.
Assistant Inspector Eric Ayidiya, 30, of the Polimakom border post and Inspector Lawrence Afari, 42, of the Kulungugu post were two of the three officers whose car was fired upon by unidentified gunmen, while they were en route to buy food. Both of them sustained injuries and sought treatment at the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital.
Inspector Philip Motey, a third officer, was attacked and later died at the age of 42. He was laid to rest last Saturday.
The officers who rescued their colleagues; Chief Superintendent (C/Supt.) Michael Brewu Ampofoh was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Immigration.
Assistant Inspector Harris Quartey was promoted to the rank of Inspector; Immigration Control Officer (ICO), Wisdom Elorm Addo was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector, whilst Assistant Immigration Control Officer Grade II Emmanuel Forson was promoted to the rank of Assistant Immigration Control Officer Grade I.
All four officers also received citations, certificates and plaques, recognising their work.
The Controller-General of Immigration, Kwame Asuah Takyi, in an address said on the evening of April 3, 2023 at about 19:51 hours, Chief Superintendent Michal BrewuAmpofoh received a distress call from one Assistant Inspector Eric Afari who informed the Bawku Command of the attack by the unknown gunmen, who fired several shots at their vehicle, killing Inspector Phillip Motey and injuring two others.
Mr Takyi commended Chief Superintendent Ampofo and the three others for their swift response despite the perilous situation.
“Quickly, Chief Supt. Ampofo and team of other three officers rushed to the scene while keeping touch with Assistant Inspector Laurence Afari through his phone, receiving directions and reassuring them that help was coming until the team got there… while it shocked me as well as many others how the immigration response team got there faster, in spite of the danger on their way,” he said.
He encouraged other officers to follow the example of the four by not turning their backs on fellow colleagues when their assistance is needed especially, in volatile areas of duty, such as Bawku.
“All security personnel should hold and teach that we must not turn our backs on our colleagues in any way or form when our help is most needed. I say this because we all know about the situation in the Bawku area and the danger that the conflict poses to security officials and residents as a whole,” he said.
On her part, Mrs. Adelaide Anno-Kumi, the Chief Director at the Ministry of Interior, in an address, on behalf of the Minister, Ambrose Dery, commended the immigration service for recognising the heroic move by the four officers as stipulated in regulation 171D (2016) L.I. 2245 of the Ghana Immigration Service.
The Ministry of Interior, according to Madam Anno-Kumi, has acknowledged the threats faced by immigration service personnel who labor around-the-clock to ensure that the nation’s borders are secure and guarded against all kinds of cross-border crime.
She revealed the governments resolve to keep retooling the agency to carry out its duty as planned.
In a media interview, the recently promoted Michael Brewu Ampofoh stated that while he was happy to be recognised for his efforts, he considered this award and promotion as an additional responsibility that demanded more work and dedication.
