The Ministry of Interior on behalf of the government has handed over 30 vehicles, including 23 Toyota Land Cruisers GXR, 3 Toyota Land Cruisers Twin Turbo, 1 Toyota Land Cruiser VXS, 1 Toyota Tundra and 2 Toyota Double Cabin Pick-ups to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to enhance their operations.
Addressing the gathering at a short ceremony to hand over the vehicles, the Minister for the Interior, Mr Ambrose Derry, said the Government of Ghana has identified the Immigration Service as an integral part of the National Security architecture in the developmental process of the country.
It is for this reason, he asserted, that government is committing resources to retool the Service in the context of security agencies’ transformation “to enable the personnel discharge their mandate of regulating, monitoring the entry, residence, employment and the exit of foreigners in Ghana effectively and efficiently”.
The true benefits of migration and border security, to him, can be derived if the requisite structures and logistical resources are effectively put in place by the Government.
These vehicles, the minister indicated, do not only represent means of transportation but the Government’s support and appreciation for the tireless effort of the personnel of the GIS at the
borders.
He applauded the Comptroller-General and his team for their hard work and commitment for the strides the Service is making in ensuring border security.
“Border Security has become a major national security concern within the West African sub-region and Ghana is not an exception. The sophistication and increasing levels of trans-national crimes including terrorism, call for urgent attention in the management of our borders”, he added.
Mr. Derry admonished that the government was aware of the threats posed by undesirable elements at the various borders, especially at the Northern frontiers, and was doing everything possible to support the Service.
To this end, he emphasised that the Government would ensure that the Service revamps the Border Patrol Unit (BPU) to make it more efficient and visible at the borders.
The Government, he continued, recognises the key role played by the GIS, in collaboration with other Security Agencies, to ensure peace and security of the country.
As part of the Government’s effort to enhance the tactical and confidence building capabilities of personnel, the minister disclosed that his Royal Majesty Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, the Okyehene, has allocated 167 acres of land for the establishment of the Immigration Tactical Training School at Kyebi.
He also thanked Nana Adusei Atwenewa Apem I, Tepa Omanhene, for the release of the Old Tepa Cocoa Hospital, with the support of appropriate agencies to the GIS, for the establishment of the Mid-Country Training School at Tepa.
The Comptroller General of GIS, Kwame Esuah Takyi Esq., expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the government and the minister for their continued support to the service.
The donation of the vehicle, he assured, will in no doubt improve their operational and administrative needs in protecting the borders and combating crimes in the county and also boost the moral of their officers.
“Transportation plays a crucial and vital role in border security by positioning personnel for decisive operations and assisting commanders effectively monitor borders.
“Inadequate logistics are major setbacks in effective monitoring and border patrols, but we thank the government for the gradual improvements in our logistical constraints”, he explained.
Mr. Takyi noted that the service is implementing a radical and ambitious reform to enhance their operational effectiveness and visibility in all sectors of the country.
He assured the minister and the government that the vehicles they have received will be used for its intended purpose.
