Francis Palmdeti
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has reacted to a statement issued by Mass Action Committee (MAC) that impugned the integrity of the Service.
It described the statement as an unwarranted and recycled attack.
The service also responded to an earlier statement.
“It is important for the group to understand that for a country to be strong and secure, it must have disciplined security services which have the support of its citizens. Support must come in various forms, including not putting the services in a position where their credibility as professional institutions is undermined,” the GIS pointed out in a reaction signed by ACOI Francis Palmdeti, Head of Public Affairs of the GIS.
Officers and men of the Security Services, the GIS stated, are trained to endure all kinds of challenges in order to be in a position to protect and defend their people from internal and external aggressors or terrorists even when they do not have all the tools they require.
The public may not be aware but our intelligence agencies such as the BNI at all material times know the true state of affairs relating to all the Security Services and do report to the relevant authorities.”
The GIS described as sad the drawing of the security service “into very bad light by persons who may not know the true workings of the institution or persons from within the institution who wish to undermine the integrity of our beloved Service.”
The GIS, he went on, has gone through very challenging times in its 24-year history under different heads of institution, but has never contemplated strike actions.
For some individuals to suggest that that is what officers are currently contemplating is an attempt to bring the institutional image and reputation of the GIS into disrepute, the statement pointed out.
Although the situation is not rosy in the Service, the GIS explained “we have logistical challenges which we have duly informed the authorities about and which are being addressed.
As we speak, the Service for a long time has not had any ‘Conditions of Service’ and this affected our negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.
Thankfully, under the leadership of COP/ Dr. Peter .A. Wiredu, the salaries of officers have improved considerably.”
Negotiations are far advanced to seek approval of the government to increase the percentage of our Internally Generated Fund (IGF), which should be retained for various aspects of our administrative and operational activities, including infrastructural and capital expenditure the statement went on.
Some vehicles have also been purchased though inadequate. The initiative was through the instrumentality of the current Director, the statement added.
The institution has challenges in its administrative structures but these have been identified, and the Service seeks to address these with the implementation of its Four-Year Strategic Plan which was also launched under the leadership of the current Director, it was stressed.
“We are not politicians but public servants with a mandate to support the state to function effectively. We would continue to play that role and would not be distracted by suggestions of strikes from persons who may be ill-informed or may not appreciate the training and orientation of security service personnel,” they said.
There is currently underway a World Bank Project to computerize operations and all staff are looking forward to the smooth take-off of the project which would enable the GIS to be more effective and efficient in the discharge of their mandate.
By A.R.Gomda