Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong has called on the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and other sister security services to show a sense of nationalism for peace to prevail as the country ap­proaches this year’s General Election.

He indicated that security officers, including personnel of the GIS would be at the forefront performing duties to ensure peace, law and order before, during and after the elections.

“In that line of duty, it is important for them to think Ghana first and per­form their duties fairly when given the opportunity to serve the state in such stewardship.”

Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong made the comment during the maiden edition of the Eastern Regional Com­mand West African Security Services Association (WASSA) to celebrate officers who have been working throughout the year to ensure the mandate of the service, maintaining security in the region and foster good working relationship among officers.

Mr Acheampong stated that there was the need for the security personnel to uphold the dignity of the country and be committed to serving and pro­tect the sanctity of the country.

“Ghana is a blessed country and there is the need for all of us to protect its peace to enable us to benefit from it,” he said and urged the security officers not to follow politicians into wrong doing.

By that, he expressed the belief that Ghanaians can build a peaceful state, and urged all to do their best to for the development of the region.

For his part, the Eastern Regional Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service, Deputy Commissioner of Immi­gration (DCOI) FaiselDisu disclosed that the Command has generated a revenue of GH¢742,722.50 this year from 1, 075 passport applications.

The amount represents an increase of 80.4 percent in revenue as com­pared to the GH¢411,687.50 generated in 2023.

He attributed that to the increase in applications being processed by the Command within the period, adding that the region has been known to be one of the fastest in delivering quality services.

He said the region was one of the inland Command with a total staff strength of 961 personnel, indicating that the regional office in Koforidua has a staff strength of 282 personnel.

However, he indicated that these 282 personnel were unfortunately operating from only five room office accommodation at the regional office, two rooms office space at the Regional Coordinating Council as an Enforce­ment Unit, and three rooms office space at Effiduase.

He revealed that the Comptroller General in pursuant of Regulation 1(4) of the Immigration Service Regulation 2016 L.I.2245 in consultation with the Ghana Immigration Governing Council has elevated some sections and units of the GIS to the status of Departments which needed to be headed by Com­missioners of the Service.

That, he said was intended to lead to expansion and operational effec­tiveness.

“Hence, more personnel would be posted to the region to operationalise the departments but we do not have adequate office accommodation to host them,” DCOI Disu revealed.

He said the inadequate infrastruc­ture and furniture was real challenge as the Command has seen a tremen­dous increase in the number of per­sonnel, causing overcrowding in the already limited office spaces.

He thanked the Comptroller General of GIS, Mr Kwame AsuahTakyi (Esq), Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong, and Regional Commander of the Ghana Fire Service, ACFOI Jenifer NaaYarleyQuaye for their support.

He was also grateful to Akromah Gold Limited, E&H Quarry Limited, Denker Industries, Quality Quarry Lim­ited, Malaika Fisheries, China Fujian Fisheries, King Aquatic Fisheries and West African Fisheries for sponsoring the event.

 From AmaTekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua