GIS generates 774.2 million cedis revenue in VR

Ho, Feb. 21, GNA - The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in the Volta Region, collected 774.2 million cedis revenue from processing passports, residence and renewal permits, last year.

Mr Robert W Quartey, Regional Commander, speaking at an end of year get-together on Friday, said 243.4 million cedis was generated from processing passports, 105.5 million cedis from the issuance of visitor and residence permits and illegal crossing fines, in addition to 44,910 dollars from emergency visas.

He attributed the achievement to border-friendliness, diligence, dedication and vigilance of officers and men of the Service as well as the cordial and collaboration with other security agencies at the region's frontiers.

The Regional Commander urged the personnel to cooperate to maximise revenue for development.

Mr Quartey, however, said the provisions in the ECOWAS protocol and the policy, which allowed free movement of Nationals within the sub-region coupled with the framework for the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) initiative were at variance with the Service's enforcement on illegal immigrants.

He pointed out that the Immigration Service Law 2000 required that ECOWAS nationals staying in the country for more than three months should register and obtains Alien Cards and said the provision had been flouted with impunity.

Mr Quartey announced that the Service was embarking on an exercise to flush-out illegal immigrants and urged proprietors of hotels to volunteer information on such "social miscreants" engaged in armed robberies, drug trafficking, Bank fraud and other social vices. He said the Service was working hard to revamp its offices with modern equipment to enable them discharge their duties well to enhance revenue generation.

The GIS in conjunction with the Service Board would implement to the letter all negotiations on allowances for personnel by March, this year, he assured.

Mr Quartey said all Service posts would be computerised and advised the public passing through intermediaries to process their passports. "Avoid dealing with middle-men who may charge you exorbitantly or even dupe you. We are there to serve you," he said. Mr Felix Ampomah-Kusi, Regional Director of the Department of Co-operatives, urged them not to be complacent but to be guided by their professional code of ethics. He asked them to unite to ensure that the "right things are done at the right place and right time" and to guard against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. 21 Feb. 04

NECO 03 Economics Restoration Monuments Government provides funds for restoration of monuments in UWR

Gwollu, Feb. 21, GNA - The government has made available a total of 1.5 billion cedis from the HIPC and District Assemblies Common Fund for the restoration and preservation of four monuments in the Upper West Region. They are the Sixteenth Centaury Mosque at Nakori near Wa, the Wa Na's Palace in Wa, the Gwollu Slave Defence Wall and the Tomb of Dr Hilla Limann, the President of the Third Republic. Mr Abubakar Saddique Boniface, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City, announced this at Gwollu in the Sissala District, on Friday. He was addressing the Paramount Chief of the Gwollu Traditional Area, Kuoro Buktie Limann and his people as part of his two-day tour of the region. The Deputy Minister said one billion cedis out of the amount would be used for the restoration and reservation work at the remains of the Defence Wall, adding that, Dr Limann's tomb would comprise a mausoleum and a library. He said that the government would provide roads, electricity and telephone facilities to tourist sites to promote private sector participation in the sector and appealed for community support for the country to earn foreign exchange and create jobs. More AAB 21 Feb 04

NECO 04 Economics Restoration Monuments 2 Gwollu

Mr Boniface called on contractors working on the restoration projects to execute the jobs efficiently and on schedule. Kuoro Buktie Limann said other tourist attractions in the area included a crocodile pond and a bone-setting centre at Gwollu. He expressed gratitude to the government for the restoration, which he described as a problem for him and his people. The Deputy Minister was accompanied by Mr Joel Sonne, Director for Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ministry and Mr William Ayambire, Regional Director of the Ghana Tourist Board.