Fifty-three Immigration Officers pass out

Spread April 4/2008

Story: Joe Okyere & Charles Benoni Okine, Assin Fosu

THE government has sourced funds from its development partners to procure communication and surveillance equipment to be installed at all the country’s entry points.
The move is intended, among others, to enhance the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), particularly in this election year.
Vice-President Aliu Mahama, who announced this at a passing-out parade for 53 newly commissioned cadet officers of the GIS, which included three Liberians, at the GIS Training School at Assin Fosu in the Central Region yesterday, also asked personnel of the service to discharge their duties more professionally to ensure an incident-free general election to preserve the unity and social cohesion in the country.
The fourth Liberian among the trainees was reported to have died before the end of the six-month course and the Vice-President requested a minute’s silence in his honour.
Seven of the cadet officers won awards for distinguishing themselves, both academically and on the field of training, with Joseph Martei Quarshie emerging as the Overall Best Cadet Officer.
The Vice-President entreated the service to collaborate with the other security agencies to design mechanisms which would regulate the flow of people into the country to avoid undermining national security.
He said as a front-line agency, the GIS was expected to enhance its role by providing timely and quality services for its clients.
The Vice-President said the ability of the GIS to achieve that would re-affirm Ghana’s emerging status as a preferred destination for international business capital and transaction.
He said the government was also committed to equipping the Border Patrol Unit of the service with all the necessary logistics to improve its deterrent and apprehension capabilities.
“I am aware that preparatory works for the construction of residential accommodation for immigration personnel have been completed and contracts awarded for actual work to begin,” he said.
Alhaji Mahama asked the new graduates to discharge their duties strictly according to the rules of the service.