Government is being urged to better resource the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to help deal with possible terror threats the country may encounter.

According to some Members of Parliament (MPs), it is important that security agencies on the front line of Ghana’s borders are given the necessary resources and training to adequately protect the country’s borders.

Ghana Immigration Service and CEPS should be better resourced to get modern equipment to be able to track devices that terrorists could import into the country,” MP for Savelugu, Mohammed Samed Gunu explained.

The MP is also urging the new boss of the Ghana Immigration Service to prioritise training for personnel which he believes will go a long way to keep the country safe.

 “The Immigration Service also needs to have constant exchange training with countries that have good track record in terrorism so that it will enhance their skills to be able to live up to the mandate of helping prevent terrorist form entering the country,” Mr. Gunu explained.

In a related development, the Ghana Immigration Service has a new boss in the person of Kwame Asuah Takyi. His story is that of grass to grace as he returned from a three-year interdiction to take up the position.

Mr. Kwame Asuah Takyi joined the Ghana Immigration Service in 1999 as assistant superintendent and rose to the become Acting Deputy Director in charge of Legal Services. 

But he was interdicted and sent home in October 2013 for allegedly issuing illegal residence permits to some Chinese nationals who came into the country.

But he challenged the interdiction in court, insisting he had no hand in how the fake permits were issued. On February 1, 2017, the Industrial and Labour Division of the High Court upheld his case and ordered his reinstatement into the Immigration Service. 

The Judge, Justice Henry Kwofie ruled that Mr. Takyi is re-instated without any loss of seniority, rights and entitlements.

Days after that, President Akuffo Addo in a letter dated February 28, 2017 wrote to Mr. Takyi announcing that he had been appointed Comptroller General, pursuant to Section 14 (1) of the Immigration Service Act 2016, making him the highest ranking officer in the Ghana Immigration Service. 

The Appointment took effect on March, 1. Mr. Takyi has since resumed work as boss of the Immigration Service.