By Michael Pepsin Avorgah
Sogakope (V/R), March 9, GNA — The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has organised a two-day capacity-building programme for personnel at the Sogakope Inland Checkpoint to strengthen trust and cooperation between officers and the community.
The training forms part of the Community Engagement and Policing (CEP) strategy by the GIS to promote collaboration between immigration officers, institutions, traditional authorities and community stakeholders.
The programme, led by the Public Affairs Department of the Aflao Sector Command, aims to improve officer–community relations, strengthen adherence to the GIS code of conduct, and promote gender equity and human rights-centred security delivery.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI) Justice Kudzo Normeshie, Public Affairs Officer of the Aflao Sector Command, said the training became necessary following growing public concerns about the conduct of some officers at checkpoints.
He said the Service had received feedback from commercial drivers, travellers, traditional authorities and other community stakeholders regarding alleged extortion, disrespectful conduct towards drivers and community leaders, and perceived violations of human rights.
According to him, such concerns had created tension and mistrust between officers and the communities.
He noted that the situation had gradually widened the gap between the Immigration Service and the public, with communities seeing officers as distant while some officers also perceived the communities in the same way.
DSI Normeshie said the capacity-building programme was designed to equip personnel with the skills and mindset required to rebuild confidence and strengthen collaboration with the public.
He expressed optimism that the knowledge gained during the training would help officers improve their engagement with community members and reinforce the Service’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.
Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI) Henry Duku Ackah, Commander of the Sogakope Inland Checkpoint, welcomed the initiative and described it as an important step towards improving service delivery.
He said every institution must see itself as a learning organisation and continuously equip its personnel with the knowledge and tools needed to respond to emerging challenges.
ASI Ackah noted that the training also provided officers with the opportunity to openly discuss challenges they faced in their line of duty and identify practical solutions.
He urged the public to see the Ghana Immigration Service as a partner in safeguarding national security rather than an adversary.
He explained that the Service played a critical role in regulating the entry and exit of persons into the country and ensuring that foreigners complied with the necessary legal processes.
ASI Ackah also encouraged the public to utilise the Community Prevention Forum platform introduced by the Service to channel complaints and seek redress when necessary.
The Community Engagement and Policing strategy forms part of the Ghana Immigration Service’s broader effort to strengthen relations with communities and promote a more responsive and accountable border management system.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Audrey Dekalu