Ghana Immigration Service introduces six-month rotational transfers for officers

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has introduced a six-month rotational transfer system to broaden officers' operational experience and improve efficiency across its regional commands.

Under the new arrangement, officers will be reassigned to different sectors and commands within their respective regions every 6 months, replacing the previous system that allowed some personnel to remain at a single duty station for between 4 and 5 years before being transferred.

The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Samuel Basintale Amadu, announced the initiative during an engagement with officers at the Upper West Regional Headquarters, according to a Facebook post by the Service on Thursday, November 12.

Mr Amadu explained that the policy was designed to expose personnel to different operational environments, enabling them to acquire wider experience and strengthen their professional capabilities in various aspects of immigration work.

“The initiative is intended to expose personnel to varied operational environments, broaden their experience, and enhance their professional competencies.

“The new arrangement will replace the previous practice, under which officers could remain at a single duty post for four to five years before being transferred,” the post stated.

The Service expects the new system to help officers adapt to different operational demands within their regions while building a more versatile and experienced workforce.

The announcement comes barely days after an explosion along an unauthorised route at Hamile on November 3 claimed the lives of an immigration officer and 2 civilians who were transporting suspected explosives on a motor tricycle.

The incident occurred during a border patrol operation when a 4-member immigration team attempted to intercept the tricycle after detecting suspicious activity.

The explosives detonated as the officers moved to stop the rider, killing him and injuring 2 immigration personnel. One of the injured officers later died, while the other was transferred to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra for specialised medical attention.

The explosion was followed by disturbances in the community, leaving 11 civilians injured during confrontations involving residents and security personnel.

Nine of the injured civilians were treated and discharged, while the remaining 2 were referred to the Upper West Regional Hospital for further medical care.