Sylvia Lopez-Ekra, William Hanna, Henry Quartey, Kwame Asuah Tekyi and other dignitaries cutting the tape to outdoor the items
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), through funding from the European Union, has handed over vehicles, motorbikes, IT equipment and furniture, among other items, to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).
The donation, worth approximately GH¢2.3 million, is expected to enhance the capacity of GIS to effectively manage borders, particularly in remote areas.
Additionally, the equipment will be used at the recent refurbished Migration Information Bureau (MIB) for the provision of information on safe migration to migrants and potential migrants.
Handing over the items to the GIS, EU Ambassador William Hanna said migration issues are of greatest importance for the European Union.
Giving statistics of how Ghanaians risk their lives on the Mediterranean Sea, Ambassador Hanna said a total of 5,636 Ghanaians arrived in Italy by boat in 2016 – representing a 27 percent increase in the previous year’s number.
According to the ambassador, although mobility could benefit both Europe and Africa, it must happen legally and safely, “not by turning the Mediterranean and the Sahara into mass graves.”
Ambassador Hanna was therefore hopeful that the collaboration which exists between the two countries would enable the GIS to help Ghanaians to make informed migration decisions.
Ms. Sylvia Lopez-Ekra, Chief of Mission, IOM, said the donation was anticipated to help GIS fight against the proliferation of unreliable information.
Kwame Asuah Tekyi, Controller General of Immigration, accepting the items, expressed joy at the assistance given to the main migration management agency in Ghana.
He said one of the main challenges that would be addressed through the provision of the IT equipment is that of migration data collection.
“GIS will use the vehicles, IT equipment and other items provided at five border post offices in the Volta and the Western Regions, which will contribute directly to enhancing the capacity to effectively manage borders,” he added.
Deputy Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, who witnessed the event, pledged the commitment of government to solve the issue of illegal migration through creation of jobs for the youth.
“The National Youth Employment Agency will be employing 8,000 people before the end of the year; the security agents will be recruiting 3,000 people and agricultural sector about 1,000 people,” he disclosed.
By: Abigail Owiredu-Boateng