Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery has urged the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to step up its border patrols and controls to protect the territorial integrity and security of the country.
He says it has become more compelling now than ever to strengthen and streamline the management of our borders considering the prevailing threats of terrorism and other forms of transnational crimes across the world.
He was speaking at the graduation ceremony of Cadet Intake 10 at the Immigration Service Academy and Training School (ISATS) at Assin Fosu in the Central Region.
Mr Dery indicated it is imperative for security operatives of their calibre to be abreast with modern techniques and best practices to enable them have command over their jobs.
“There is the need for continuous training and retraining for officers at all levels. Security operatives of your calibre are expected to be on top of your job and be abreast with modern techniques and best practices globally,” he said.
He added that there is the need to enlist, train and deploy more officers into the senior officer corps to take up leadership responsibilities.
Mr. Dery was expectant that the skills and competence acquired by the graduating cadets will be brought to bear on the implementation of Ghana’s migration policy through various initiatives to curb the multiplicity of crime.
This, he added, would also help to support the fight against irregular migration and menaces that undermine the peace, security and social tranquillity of the country and sub region as a whole.
He said government is committed to adequately resource the GIS with the requisite logistics and infrastructure to deliver on its mandate.
Government in a bid to resource the GIS to enhance its operations has provided them with 10 Toyota Hilux Pick Ups, 20 all terrain vehicles and 25 motorbikes, he said.
He congratulated the graduating officer cadets for having gone through the four months intensive paramilitary training successfully, and urged them to exhibit high sense of leadership and supervision at their various duty and command posts.
Mr. Dery implored them not to compromise on their professional ethics but rather brace themselves both physically and mentally for the challenging tasks ahead of them.
He commended the Comptroller General and the management of the service for their continuous efforts to train and build the capacity of officers for enhanced service delivery.
The four months training was multifaceted covering intensive physical, drills, academic and professional training in immigration and security duties.
They also underwent training in counter terrorism, criminal law and Intelligence and Investigations.
One hundred and eighty five made up of 122 males and 63 females passed out.
Frank Odei Opare won overall best cadet officer with Joseph Odartey Lamptey awarded the most disciplined cadet officer while Daniel Osifo-Doe won the best in academics.
The best male and female Drills went to Frank Odei Opare and Esther Aba Agyiriba Amoah respectively.
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