Speed up GIS’s mandate to issue visas abroad - Comptroller General

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) says there is the need to speed up the mandate given to it to issue visas at Ghana’s missions abroad in order to aid effective migration management.

Mr Kwame Asuah Takyi, Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI) made this statement when a fifteen-member Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior paid a working visit to the Service at its National Headquarters in Accra last Friday.

A statement issued to the GNA on Wednesday and signed by Supt. Michael Amoako-Atta, Head of Public Affairs at the GIS, said the visit was to afford the committee an opportunity to obtain first-hand information on the activities of the GIS and to dialogue on issues of border security and migration management.

Mr Asuah Takyi said the GIS had the expertise to ensure that travel permits granted to migrants and expatriates would be of no socio-economic and security threats to the nation.

“This has been the best practices among other Africa nations and the world at large and it is one of the surest way of preventing illegitimate migrants from entering the country,” he said.

“Current global trends on security tell us that the crucial role of immigration to national security cannot be over emphasised” he added.

Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong, Chairman of the Committee, averred that the financial and material resources needed by the GIS could not be negotiated and that the GIS needed all the necessary support to effectively contribute to the peace and security that Ghana enjoyed.

He made the observation after a 17-minute documentary on the operational activities of GIS was shown to the Committee.

The Committee assured the GIS of their unflinching support for ensuring the full implementation of the various provisions contained in the Immigration Service Act, Act 908 and better budgetary allocation to the GIS.

They also called for logistical provisions such as solar torchlights, life jackets, speed boats, arms, mobile heath delivery van and other accoutrements to aid the personnel in their patrol duties at the borders to fight irregular migration, cross border crimes and terrorism.