At a courtesy call by the Governing Council of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) on the Minister for the Interior at his office in Accra, the Chairman of the Council, Rev. Steve Wengam, described the Minister, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, as one of the best Interior Ministers Ghana has ever had.  He expressed deep appreciation to the Minister for his commitment to advancing migration governance and commended his leadership in building resilience within the Service.

Rev. Wengam emphasised the Minister’s role in ensuring that the ongoing recruitment process is transparent and fair, as well as the materialization of key resources such as the provision of 20 pickup vehicles, which demonstrates Government’s dedication to the service.

Recalling the Minister’s call for creative approaches to supporting the council, the Council Chair announced plans to implement a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, dubbed the Secure Our Borders (SECOBOD) project, aimed at supporting GIS and tackling various challenges.

The Council further outlined issues such as promotions, the need for support in combating indiscipline and corruption, infrastructure improvements, vehicle shortages, border security modernisation, and officer welfare.

In his response, Hon. Muntaka commended the Council for its work, assured them of his unwavering support, and urged GIS officers to always prioritise the country’s interests while supporting the vision of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama to reset, retool, and reform the Ghana Immigration Service, noting the Council’s alignment with Government priorities, including plans for the construction of seven regional offices as part of the President’s retooling agenda for security services.

Highlighting the critical role of immigration officers as the first point of contact at borders, Hon. Muntaka pointed out Ghana’s 48 legitimate entry routes and over 200 illegitimate ones, emphasising the President’s passion for establishing a robust monitoring system across all borders.

The visit highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize the service, strengthen border security, and address key challenges facing the GIS.