The Controller General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Mr. Kwame Awuah Takyi, Esq., has commended the European Union for its continued support, particularly its financial assistance and dedication to resourcing the Ghana Immigration Service.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day regional technical conference on border management, Mr. Awuah Takyi emphasized the importance of the EU’s contributions to enhancing the operational capacity of the Service.
“The Service has received other numerous supports geared towards effective barriation management in the country.”
Highlighting few of EU’s support, he added, “i recall that during the heat of COVID-19 pandemic, the SBS Ghana project donated three Toyota .. Pickups, and two Toyota buses as well as PPEs and offered training on infection protection control.”
“I must say that throughout all these years, the European Union has remained steadfast in its quest to ensure that the Ghana Immigration Service is resourced to an extent …”
“And i am most grateful for the financial support, that we have enjoyed over the period under this project,” he added.
The conference, which began on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 , is being organized in collaboration with the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and is funded by the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.
The event is focused on strengthening regional partnerships to improve border management and security, serving as a platform for regional stakeholders to discuss future initiatives and share best practices.
Ghana, with its vast land borders shared with Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo, along with its maritime boundary along the Gulf of Guinea, faces significant border security threats.
These include human trafficking, smuggling of goods, arms and drugs, as well as terrorism and organized crime.
The event seeks to create a collaborative environment where participants can exchange experiences and devise practical solutions to these common issues.
Dr. Mojisola Sodeinde, representing the West Africa Region of ICMPD, highlighted the development of a four-year strategic plan in collaboration with the Ghana Immigration Service.
In an interview with ABC Ghana, she elaborated on how ICMPD identified key needs within the Service and worked to address them through partnership and support.
“ICMPD and GIS have been working together for about 8 to 7 years. Our relationship started with a project called the ‘Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration’ funded by the EU. And as part of that project, we developed a four years strategic plan and through that plan we were able to identify some of the needs GIS had. And based on that EU approached the ICMPD to support GIS…,” Sodeinde explained.
The three-day workshop is expected to enhance the overall security framework in the region and ensure that Ghana’s borders are better managed and protected.
By Derrick kumi Kissiedu, Henry Ayisi and Ruth Sekyi – ABC News GH
