Gov't hands over Toyota Landcruisers, other vehicles to Ghana Immigration Service

The Government of Ghana has procured and handed over some Toyota Landcruisers and other vehicles to the Ghana Immigration Service.

According to government, it is committing resources to retool the Service, in the context of security agencies transformation, to enable the personnel discharge their mandate of regulating, monitoring the entry, residence, employment and the exit of foreigners in Ghana effectively and efficiently.

Speaking at the ceremony, Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery said "Ladies and gentlemen, the Government of Ghana has identified the Immigration Service as an integral part of the National Security Architecture and the developmental process of the country. It is for this reason that the Government is committing resources to retool the Service, in the context of security agencies transformation, to enable the personnel discharge their mandate of regulating, monitoring the entry, residence, employment and the exit of foreigners in Ghana effectively and efficiently"

He added that true benefits of migration and border security can be derived if the requisite structures and logistical resources are effectively put in place by the government.

"Comptroller- General, these vehicles lined up do not only represent means of transportation, but the Government’s support and appreciation for the tireless effort of the personnel of the Ghana Immigration Service at the borders. Let me entreat you to let these vehicles be a motivation to improve your services in the various regions"

"On behalf of the Government, I wish to applaud the Comptroller-General and his team for their hard work and commitment for the strides the Service is making in ensuring border security"

"Officers and Men, Border Security has become a major national security concern within the West African sub-region and Ghana is not an exception"

"The sophistication and increasing levels of transnational crimes including terrorism, call for urgent attention in the management of our borders. The Government being aware of the threats posed by undesirable elements at the various borders, especially at the Northern frontiers is doing everything possible to support the Service. The Ghana Immigration Service is the lead agency in the Border Security Management of Ghana. The first point of contact of travelers to Ghana. To this end, the Government will ensure that the Service revamps the Border Patrol Unit (BPU) to make it more efficient and visible at the borders. The Service the BPU should be intelligence-led, with highly trained personnel and modern technology to address the emerging threats to border and national security"

He stressed that government recognizes the key role played by the Ghana Immigration Service, in collaboration with other Security Agencies to ensure peace and security of the country.

"Whiles you do your best to ensure the security of the country, I must say there are some miscreant personnel among you who terrorize civilians and rob them of their valuables. You cannot be law enforcers and perpetrators of heinous crimes at the same time"

"I am aware that the Police Service in collaboration with other security agencies, has made some arrest in recent time involving personnel of the Security Services"

"Let me use this occasion to warn such officers to desist from these misconducts since they cannot beat the collaborative efforts of the Agencies. In addition, I will entreat the Heads of the various Security Services to ensure that such miscreants are fished out and removed from the Security Services as a matter urgency"

"Ladies and gentlemen, due to recurring instability and violent terrorist activities in the Sahel regions, Inland Check Points have been mounted at some major roads in the country to check the infiltration of the spillover insurgents that might to attempt to enter the country"

Mr. Dery revealed that the Ghana Immigration Service is making efforts to open more of such Inland Check Points.

"We will therefore appeal to the travelling public to be patient with Immigration Officers at the various Check Points. I also want to use this occasion to warn Immigration Officers who have been harassing and extorting monies from passengers to desist from doing that"

"Any officer found culpable of misconduct would be dealt according to the law"

"I present these vehicles to the Comptroller-General for the use of Commissioners, all the 19 Regional Commanders, Kyebi and Tepa Training Schools and Heads of key Departments of the Service"

"The vehicles are 23 Toyota Land Cruisers GXR, 3 Toyota Land Cruisers Twin Turbo, 1 Toyota Land Cruiser VXS, 1 Toyota Tundra, and 2 Toyota Double Cabin Pick-ups"

He stressed that the government is aware of the challenges GIS faces in the area of logistics, office and residential accommodation, among others.

"We are therefore committed to finding reasonable and realistic means of solving these of challenges so that you would continuously avail yourselves to manage and protect the borders of the country"

"Ladies and gentlemen, The Government of H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has transformed and empowered the Ghana Immigration Service in a manner that is unprecedented"

"As part of the Government’s effort to enhance the tactical and confidence building capabalities of personnel, His Royal Majesty Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, the Okyehene has allocated 167 acres of land for the establishment of the Immigration Tactical Training School at Kyebi"

"In another development, I wish to thank Nana Adusei Atwenewa Apem I , Tepa Omanhene for the release of the Old Tepa Cocoa Hospital, with the support of appropriate agencies, to the Ghana Immigration Service for the establishment of the Mid- Country Training School at Tepa"

On his part, Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Kwame Asuah Takyi said "The Government’s commitment to provide and retool the Service is manifested in what we are witnessing this afternoon"

"We are very happy to see these new vehicles to be added to our fleet of vehicles. We have waited for this day to come and finally it is here.  I must say that delivering vital support of this nature to the Service, will no doubt be able to meet our operational and administrative needs in protecting our borders and combating crimes in the country"

"I will enjoin all well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to also lend a hand of support to the Service, for when the borders are secured, the country is safe.  As you are aware, the Government cannot do it all alone, as security is a shared responsibility"

"Hon. Minister, transportation plays a crucial role in border security by positioning personnel for decisive operations, assisting commanders to effectively monitor personnel and for border patrols. Inadequate logistics are major setback in effective monitoring and border patrols, but we thank the Government for the gradual improvement in our logistical constraints"

"Ladies and gentlemen: recent developments in our Northern neighbouring countries points to the urgent need for more logistical support to strategize for a common goal of dealing with threats to our safety, peace and security at our borders especially at the Northern Frontiers"

                                                                                                                                    "The provision of these vehicles reinforce the Government’s belief in our mission and recognizes the pivotal role we play in safeguarding our nation’s borders. To me, the vehicles represent a catalyst for progress, a tool that will significantly enhance our efficiency, effectiveness and renewed pledge to uphold the trust of the Government and people of Ghana in fulfilling our mandate.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith