Accra, July 12, GNA – 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.
GNA