The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to adopt a more innovative and robust approach to manage migration in the collective interest of the state.
“…the benefits that accrue to the effective management of migration cannot be underestimated, this is why the government urges the Ghana Immigration Service to adopt a more innovative and robust approach to manage migration,” he said.
He made this statement as the Review Officer at the Passing Out Parade of the Cadet Intake 17 of the Service, the First Officer level graduation, since the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, at Assin Foso in the Central Region last week Friday.
The Vice President reiterated the government’s commitment to resourcing the Service to undertake its mandate, with concrete examples such as unprecedented recruitments, three more training facilities across the country, and the procurement of arms and ammunition to better equip the officers and men.
He continued: “Like their counterparts in the military and the police, government is working to procure specialised vehicles and equipment to equip the Service to meet the changing security dynamics.”
He stated that the government was determined to resource all the security services to enable them enforce the law, thus, he said, government would procure high performance vehicles to support the operations of the Ghana Immigration Service.
Dr. Bawumia indicated that the good relationship and cooperation that had existed over the years in the sister security agencies offered the GIS the opportunity to share their training facilities.
He said the government fully appreciated the contribution of the Service and the role it played towards national development in the midst of the challenging logistical constraints.
“It is reassuring to know that the Service has marked out clear strategic directions towards the achievement of its aspiration in line of the country,” he said.
He revealed that the service, in a few weeks time, would be launching its seven years strategic plan for 2023 to 2029.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia entreated the management of the Service to sustain their enthusiasm and demonstrate the tenacity of purpose in their implementation.
He said the government will not be complacent in the security management of the country, adding, “we are alert and working to ensure that citizens and all who enter Ghana are safe and continue to go about their activities without fear.”
“The government is committed to ensuring that there will be full implementation of Immigration Service Act 2016, Act 908, which aims at injecting more efficiency and effectiveness into the Service,” he added
He acknowledged the immense support of the foreign partners in the areas of capacity building and provision of logistics to the Ghana Immigration Service.
Intake 17 Passing – Out Parade
A total of 297 cadet officers passed out during the parade, after undergoing a seven-month military training programme to qualify them as officers.
The officers were taken through serious training on GIS laws and practices, travel documents management, intelligence, investigations and border security management, ethics and professional standards, Immigration Acts 2016, and Act 908 among others.
The officers displayed brilliant drills at the passing-out parade, a march past of contingents, both slow and quick, while others also received awards for the exemplary performance.
