Henry Quartey, the Minister of Interior, has delivered a strong message to immigration officers stationed at Kotoka International Airport, stating that any employee caught aiding visitors will face immediate suspension.
The warning was issued during Quartey’s recent visit to the headquarters of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in Accra.
During his speech, he stressed the gravity of such behavior, labeling it as unprofessional, and urged officers to abstain from such actions.
“Men and women wear uniforms only to go and see off their friends at the Airport. They pull their bags right from the car, and walk through checking, walk them through immigration and even security points all the way.
“When you disembark you see them lined up waiting for their friends, they take their bags. I have told the CG to send a message to them that it has to stop with immediate effect, and I mean immediate effect.”
“We will send plain clothes to go there, if an immigration officer is found around the arrival hall, or departure hall, engaging passengers please consider that you will be at home for a long time and that will be coming from me, not the CG. So, tell them,” he stated.
Furthermore, Mr. Quartey emphasized the significance of professionalism among GIS officers, especially in anticipation of the 2024 general elections. He underscored the pivotal role of the GIS in ensuring impartiality and integrity in the electoral process, advocating for unbiased, free, and fair elections.
We place significant trust in you, and I urge you not to misinterpret my words. It’s imperative that you fulfill your professional obligations as members of the GIS before, during, and after the elections.
“We must guarantee free, fair, and transparent elections. If any of you wish to engage in politics, please inform us so that we can assist you in joining a political party. Therefore, all of you should focus on your duties and work for the betterment of our homeland,” the Interior Minister emphasized.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of stringent border control to prevent the unauthorized entry of undocumented individuals.
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