3 top immigration officers interdicted

The Ministry of the Interior on Wednesday said President John Mahama has directed the immediate interdiction of three persons for issuing resident permits to some Chinese Nationals without due regard.

They are the Deputy Director, Finance and Administration, Ms Veronica Addy, Acting Deputy Director Legal, Mr Kwame Asuah Takyi and the Regional Commander, Volta Region, Mr Joseph Gardiner, all of the Ghana Immigration Service.

They did not also follow strict requirement of the law and institutional procedure practices in relation to such permit/visas.

A statement issued by the Interior Ministry and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the administrative process of interdiction was to among other things; afford the service the opportunity to conduct further investigation into the matter.

The interdiction would also afford them the opportunity to appear before a trial disciplinary panel to be instituted into their conduct on account of adverse prima facie findings made against them in the investigative report.

The statement noted that the institution of the disciplinary proceedings was in accordance with the disciplinary orders of the service.

The three officers have therefore been directed to hand over the duties of their office and all official items and vehicles on charge to them to officers who have appointed by the president.

The new appointments are Mr Felix Yaw Sarpong, Acting Deputy Director in charge of Operations, replaces Mr Daniel Taabauing, who had retired from the service.

Ms Judith Mawunyo Dzokoto is now the Acting Deputy Director, Finance and Administration, whilst Ms Victoria Ninette Baaba Asare becomes the Acting Deputy Director in charge of Legal.