Aliu asks security officers to devise strategies to keep borders safe

Assin Foso (C/R) April 15, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Friday asked security officers to evolve effective strategies that would facilitate the legitimate inflow of people and goods and also keep away those that threaten national security.

"We must aim to build a credible system to contain potential risks and preserve the flow of trade and people that allows Ghana to be open, free, democratic and globally engaged," he said. The Vice President was addressing a graduation ceremony for 48 senior officers at the Ghana Immigration Academy at Assin Foso in the Assin North District.

The officers, who were enlisted as graduates, had undergone a six-month training programme.

He noted that though the nation's borders had been opened in line with trade liberalization, much needed to be done, to make them adequately secure to pass the risk of terrorism and other transnational threats.

Vice President Mahama, therefore, told the security officers, particularly immigration officers to forge partnerships with communities in which they operate to enhance their effectiveness, saying, " communities are the eyes and ears of authorities".

He assured personnel of the Ghana Immigration Service that the Government would provide them with logistics to facilitate their work. Their conditions of service would also be improved, while the programme to increase the workforce to adequate levels by 2007 would be supported.

He advised the graduating cadets to be dedicated to their job and work with integrity and honesty to distinguish themselves. The cadets, who joined 55 serving officers to form an impressive parade later swore their oath of office. They included six females. Mr Adolf Aboagye Asenso was honoured as the overall best cadet with other outstanding cadets, including Ms Henrietta Nana Yaa Dankwa, who thrilled the audience with skills that earned her a prize as the best female in drills. She was the Parade Commander.

The skills acquired included passport and visa fraud detection, refugee management, communication and report writing, narcotics management, tourism protection and management care.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Minster of the Interior, Ms Elizabeth Adjei, Director of the Immigration Service, Brigadier-General Richardson Baiden, Commissioner of Customs, Exercise and Preventive Service and other service commanders, attended the ceremony.