270 Immigration Officers pass-out

Assin Foso (C/R), Dec. 18, GNA – The Ghana Immigration Service on Friday pass-out 270 immigration officers with a call by Mr Kobby Achampong, Deputy Minister of Interior, to exhibit high level of discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

Mr Acheampong who was the reviewing officer at the Ghana Immigration Academy and Training School at Assin Fosu in the Central Region urged the graduates to protect and secure the borders from illegal migration and cross border security threats.

The Minister said the passing-out parade of the Recruit Intake 18 Group were enlisted into the GIS and have undergone 4 months intensive basic recruit training programme since August 2011.

Mr Acheampong said the passing-out ceremony was in line with the Four-Year Strategic Plan of the GIS geared towards managing migration in the national interest, defending the country against irregular migration and contributing to national security.

He said the strategic objective of the government was to develop and implement a migration policy through various initiatives to curb the multiplicity of criminal activities in the West African sub-region.

He stressed that the initiative would support the international community in the fight against irregular migration and related menaces which undermined the peace, security and social tranquility of the sub-region.

Mr Acheampong said the GIS management is taking strategic approaches and efforts to develop a Standard Operation Procedure Manual to give clear understanding to all staff of what needs to be done and ensure their staff have appropriate skills in all dive4rse disciplines.

He said the service must be sufficiently equipped with well-trained personnel, poised to formulate an efficient and robust programme for the admission and integration of foreigners into the country whether for social, business, investment or economic purpose.

Mr Acheampong said training is essential not only to increase productivity but also to motivate and inspire workers by letting them know how important their jobs are and equipping them with the skills and information needed to perform their jobs.

He said it is in this context that all modern progressive and dynamic organizations regularly train their staff in order to update their professional knowledge and skill to enhance their performance level.

Mr Acheampong noted that the GIS was established with a statutory responsibility to advice on and to ensure the effective enforcement of all laws and regulations pertaining to the entry and exit of foreign nationals into the country.