By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Ho (V/R), April 29, GNA – Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, has received Mr Faisal Disu, the Deputy Comptroller-General (Operations) of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), and his delegation during a working visit to the Volta Region.
This follows concerns over the conduct of some immigration officers at border posts in the region.
The visit formed part of efforts by the Ghana Immigration Service to address complaints relating to unprofessional conduct, including reported acts of disrespect toward citizens and traditional authorities at some border entry points in the Volta Region.
The concerns were earlier raised by Mr Gunu during a meeting with the Minister for the Interior, where he, together with the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, drew attention to incidents involving poor officer-civilian relations and alleged disregard for traditional authorities at selected border posts.
Receiving the delegation at his office in Ho, Mr Gunu said the concerns were not intended to undermine the work of the Ghana Immigration Service, but rather to strengthen public confidence and improve service delivery at the country’s frontiers.
He noted that the role of immigration officers in safeguarding national borders remained critical, particularly in the Volta Region, which shares strategic entry points with neighbouring Togo.
Mr Gunu said the effectiveness of border security operations depended not only on vigilance and enforcement, but also on professionalism, discipline and mutual respect in dealing with the public.
He said border officials served as the first point of contact for many citizens and visitors, and their conduct significantly shaped public perception of the state and its institutions.
The Regional Minister welcomed the intervention by the Immigration Service and described the visit as timely and reassuring.
“These steps are encouraging and necessary. Mutual respect between our security agencies, traditional authorities and citizens is essential to effective service delivery and the overall security of the region,” he said.
Mr Faisal Disu said the visit was part of a service-wide effort to reinforce discipline, professionalism and ethical conduct among officers deployed at the country’s border posts.
He said the delegation had toured key entry points in the Volta Region, including Sogakope, Akanu, Shia and Asikuma, where they engaged officers and reminded them of the need to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Mr Disu said officers had been sensitised on respectful engagement, proper public conduct and the importance of maintaining cordial relations with local communities and traditional authorities.
He stressed that the Ghana Immigration Service remained committed to improving officer conduct and ensuring that personnel posted to border stations carried out their duties with integrity, discipline and respect for human dignity.
He said the Service recognised the strategic role of chiefs and local communities in supporting border management and national security and would continue to deepen collaboration with them.
Mr Disu assured the Regional Minister that the concerns raised had been taken seriously and that the GIS leadership would continue to monitor officer conduct and strengthen internal accountability mechanisms.
The visit forms part of broader efforts to improve relations between security agencies and communities in border areas, while promoting effective border governance, public trust and national security in the Volta Region.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah