Laud Affrifa(M) and Anna Lixi (R) cutting the ribbon to open the investigative offices in the AHSTIP general office
Expertise France, with funding from the European Union Commission, has presented essential tools and technologies including laptops, desktop computers, desks, office chairs, computers, and projectors to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) Headquarters and Regional Offices.
The donation is to enhance the GIS’ capacity in the fight against trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Head of Governance and Security Sector, European Union Commission, Anna Lixi, stated that, the GIS is instrumental in maintaining national security through its role in integrated border management and combating the threats posed by transitional organised crimes.
According to her, the ‘Support the Fight Against Human Trafficking’ project has achieved notable results by adopting multi-system approach, the project has strengthened the capacities of a diverse range of governmental and non-governmental actors.
“As part of the EU Commission’s commitment to addressing smuggling, it launched a call for action last year for a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling, highlighting this crime as a priority within the new EU pact on Migration and Asylum,” she stated.
She reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting GIS, in collaboration with their implementing partners such as Expertise France and ICMPD to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking.
Deputy Comptroller General in Charge of Operations and Command Post, Laud Affrifah, speaking on behalf of the Comptroller General of GIS, said GIS is one of the security agencies mandated by the Human Trafficking Act 2005, Act 694 to help in mitigating the transitional crime of trafficking in the country.
Pursuant to the service’s commitment to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling, he said the GIS in 2012 launched the Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons (AHSTIP) Unit to fulfill the service’s mandate to protect vulnerable individuals.
He said 100 GIS officers benefited from the training to combat human trafficking while 11 were successfully certified as officers out of the 418 law enforcement officers.
He mentioned that, the Expertise France went beyond to refurbish the AHSTIP general office at the GIS Headquarters with office equipments to enhance the Unit’s operations.
He, thus, showed his appreciation to the European Union Commission and Expertise France for their support.
By Janet Odei Amponsah