GIS to sanction officers who compromise country's security and integrity


Officers and Men of the Ghana Immigration Service who compromise the country's security and integrity at the various entry points will be shown the exit. 

Also officers who refuse postings to the borders based on flimsy excuses must change their attitudes ahead of the 2016 general elections. 

Inspecting a guard of honor, the newly Appointed Acting Director of the Service, Felix Sarpong said the GIS is undergoing a total transformation to reflect the reason for which it was established. And also to enable him to outline his expectations and way forward for the Service in 2016 as the newly appointed Director of Immigration.

He praised efforts by his predecessors for the establishment of the Immigration Professional Standard Unit (IPSU), adding that the Unit would help in ensuring a highly professional and disciplined paramilitary service.

He admonished the staff against taking bribes from clients before helping them, as it gave the Service a bad name, and said persons who would be found culpable would not be spared.

“Let us act professionally, so that we would not only earn the respect of all, but that our work culture could be comparable to the best in the world,” he added.

He said the Immigration Officers were the first persons foreigners encounter at both the entry and departure points in Ghana, hence, the need for the staff to show them the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality, but without compromising security and national interest.

Mr Sarpong said aspects of the four year Strategic Plan of the Immigration Service, which would expire at the end of 2015 due to financial constraint would be factored into the Services’ new four year Strategic Plan to ensure they were implemented.

He said the Service needed to procure arms, construct shelters at strategic places for the border patrol staff, and most importantly, tighten security and intelligence at borders next year, due to the general elections and the proliferation of terrorists’ cells in Africa.

He expressed the hope that the GIS Bill, which was at its final stage in Parliament for consideration, would be passed soon into law to help change the face of the Service and working conditions for the staff.

The Acting Director of Immigration expressed his appreciation to all past directors and staff for their hard work and perseverance since the Service was established in 1989.

He entreated the staff to accept postings to other parts of the country without complaining as it formed part of their patriotism and dedication to the Service.

“Sadly, today, when officers are transferred you start receiving calls from various persons pleading to have the transfers changed, with some even presenting questionable medical reports,” he said.


GBC