By Rihana Adam, GNA
Accra, Sept. 11, GNA – The Diaspora African Forum (DAF), the Embassy for the African Diaspora, has organised a two-day training for officers of the Accra International Airport (AIA) Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to ensure effective communication and quality customer service.
The training, held from September 9 to 10, 2026, was on the theme: “Improving Customer Service and Engagement with the Diaspora Community.”
It sought to strengthen the capacity of immigration officers to communicate effectively, manage difficult situations and provide quality customer service while maintaining immigration control, orderly migration and national security.
DCOI Dr Noah Ahomka Yeboah, Regional Commander, said the initiative would strengthen the relationship between Africa and its diaspora while promoting capacity building and partnerships to contribute to the development of the continent.
He expressed appreciation to the DAF for extending the training to GIS officers, describing the AIA as one of Ghana’s major entry points and a critical point of contact for travellers entering and leaving the country.
“The AIA receives travellers from diverse cultural backgrounds, including diplomats, senior public officials, business people and politicians, and the conduct of immigration officers plays an important role in shaping their perception of Ghana,” he said.
He said every interaction between an immigration officer and a traveller contributed to shaping the image of the GIS and, ultimately, Ghana.
“Therefore, we must conduct ourselves at all times with professionalism and integrity,” he said.
Dr Yeboah said the training was particularly relevant to members of the African diaspora who visited Ghana to reconnect with their cultural identity, heritage and roots.
“If we receive them with the professionalism they deserve, we are encouraging them to continue coming to Ghana,” he said.
He noted that members of the diaspora brought resources, knowledge, skills and diverse experiences that could contribute to the development of the continent.
“Our responsibility goes beyond checking passports, admitting and exiting passengers and enforcing immigration laws. We are indeed ambassadors of Ghana to the continent,” he said.
Ambassador Dr Erieka Bennett, Founder and Head of Mission of the DAF, said there were more than 300 million Africans in the diaspora, many of whom had left the continent in search of better opportunities.
She said the DAF’s objective was to contribute to the advancement of Africa, both historically and economically.
Ambassador Bennett said Ghana had become an important destination for people seeking to reconnect with Africa and their heritage, making effective communication and quality customer service essential.
The two-day training provided an opportunity for participants to learn, share experiences and better understand their role as ambassadors of Ghana, she said.
Madam Maud Anima Quainoo, the Deputy Commissioner of Immigration and Head of Public Affairs of the GIS, said training was valuable only when participants applied the knowledge acquired to their work.
Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr Samuel Basintale Amadu, she said officers at the airport were frontline representatives not only of the GIS but also of Ghana as a whole.
She said customer service was not limited to what officers said to travellers but also included their posture, attitude and general conduct.
“This training is about customer service; it is not just about what you present, but your posture and the attitude you put across to whoever is standing in front of you,” she said.
She said the ultimate objective was to build a positive image of the Ghana Immigration Service and thanked Ambassador Bennett and the DAF for the initiative.
She encouraged the participants to apply the knowledge acquired to their work at the various ports, sectors and commands.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe