The Spanish government on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 donated vehicles, computers and other equipment to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the Ghana Police Service (GPS) to boost their operations.
The donation was to support the government of Ghana to manage irregular migration and other cross-border crimes.
The Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Alicia Rico Perez del Pulgar, who presented the items noted that the fight against irregular migration and transnational organized crime required collective effort as it was a transnational challenge that needed to be tackled by countries of origin, transit and destination.
She described the donation as a demonstration of Spain’s commitment to strengthening the existing relationship between the two countries and was confident that the donation would serve its intended purpose.
Minister for the Interior, Mr. Ambrose Dery, who received the items on behalf of the GIS and the GPS, in his address said international migration is an inherent and integral part of Ghana’s developmental process and the benefits of migration should be derived within the context of requisite structures, legal and administrative framework.
Mr. Dery stated that cross-border crimes and irregular migration are better fought through international cooperation.
“I welcome the commitment of the Kingdom of Spain to ensure humane and orderly migration as it benefits the two countries,” he said.
Mr. Ambrose Dery further stated that in December 2015, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of Ghana in Accra granting an aid of Eighty Seven Thousand Euros (€87,000) to support the GIS to establish a Migration Information Centre (MIC) in Tamale to help educate and sensitize migrants and potential migrants on safe migration and the dangers of irregular migration.
The Minister indicated that one of the key components of the cooperation between Ghana and Spain is the common interest of addressing irregular migration and human trafficking issues.
He commended the officers of the GIS for their commitment and dedication to ensuring security at the country’s borders in spite of the numerous challenges the face with the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
The Comptroller General of Immigration, Kwame Asuah-Takyi, on his part said the donation could not have come at a better time, since the government of Ghana has reviewed its border strategy in the face of COVID-19 and other security concerns.
He indicated that the GIS has enhanced operational capacities of officers to detect, prevent and deter irregular migration.
Mr. Asuah-Takyi recalled that officers in recent time have come under attack by smugglers and other criminal elements, citing the example of an officer who was injured during an exchange of gunshots at the Hamile area. The items donated included six (6) Mitsubishi L200D Pickups, Twenty-three (23) HP Desktop Computers and accessories and ten (1O) Printers. One (1) Mitsubishi L200D Pickup, four (4) HP Computers and two (2) Printers will be allocated to the Anti Human Trafficking/Visa Fraud Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service in the fight against irregular migration.
