Immigration academy to be upgraded

Government is considering upgrading the Ghana Immigration Service training Academy at Assin Fosu in the Central Region to a sub-regional training hub for Immigration officers from across West Africa.

Deputy Interior Minister, Kobby Akyeampong who announced this said the decision is part of a five-year strategic plan being implemented to ensure the academy becomes a world-class center for the training of Immigration officers.

He was addressing a graduation ceremony at which 464 newly trained Immigration officers passed out at the Immigration Service Training Academy at Assin Fosu.

The Minister also announced the Immigration Act 573 is undergoing a review to accommodate human smuggling.

The officers had undergone four months of training on various immigration-related issues.

He said government was committed to the strengthening of the institutional capacity of the service by beefing up the staff strength and providing it with the needed logistics.

The Deputy Minister who was the reviewing officer of the parade, cautioned the officers to ensure that only foreign nationals who will abide by the laws and assist in the economic growth of the nation

without compromising national security enter the country.

He advised the service to reposition itself to deliver professional service to its customers and be strict in controlling the increasing number of migrants across the country.

The Ghana Immigration Service is the state institution charged with responsibilities to regulate and monitor the entry, residence, employment and the exit of foreigners in the country.