The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has issued a public advisory, debunking widespread social media claims of an ongoing recruitment exercise.

The security agency is urging the Ghanaian public to exercise extreme caution and vigilance, warning against increasingly sophisticated digital scams designed to defraud unsuspecting job seekers.

In a press release on June 20, 2025, the GIS clarified that it is currently not conducting any recruitment drive.

Head of Public Affairs, Assistant Commissioner of Immigration, Michael Amoako-Atta, signed the statement, which emphatically directed the public to disregard any such offers circulating online.

The GIS reiterated that all legitimate recruitment announcements will be made exclusively through official print media, specifically the Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times newspapers, thereby discrediting any information found on social media platforms.

The GIS expressed serious concerns over the burgeoning number of fraudulent recruitment offers, particularly those that illicitly demand payment in exchange for non-existent job opportunities.

This phenomenon exploits the aspirations of Ghana’s youth, a demographic that faces a significant employment challenge, with the youth unemployment rate standing at approximately 14% as of 2024 for those aged 15-35.

These deceptive operations often involve the creation of highly convincing fake social media pages that brazenly impersonate the Ghana Immigration Service, illegally utilising official images and videos to lend an air of authenticity.

Such acts are not merely misrepresentations but constitute serious criminal offences under Ghanaian law, potentially falling under sections related to fraud and impersonation, which carry penalties ranging from fines to considerable prison sentences.

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) reported significant financial losses to online fraud in Ghana, with GH¢ 4,425,851 lost in the first quarter of 2025 alone from online fraud cases, many of which include job recruitment scams.

The GIS described these fraudulent activities as "criminal" and issued a stern warning to the perpetrators to immediately cease their illegal operations.

With a uniformed force numbering over 11,000 personnel, the Ghana Immigration Service is a consistent target for such impersonations due to its significant role in national security and border management.

Prospective applicants are strongly advised to remain patient and exercise extreme vigilance.

They are urged to report any suspicious recruitment claims directly to the Ghana Police Service or their nearest GIS office.

This proactive stance by the GIS underscores its commitment to protecting citizens from digital fraud and maintaining the integrity of its official processes, especially in an era where countless Ghanaians keenly follow announcements for recruitment into security agencies.