Excerpt
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is a governmental body under the Ministry of the Interior, established to manage and regulate the country’s immigration affairs. Below is an overview of its job roles, constitutional mandates, leadership structure and ranks, offices or units, recruitment and promotion processes, appointment of overseers, and operational procedures.
Job Roles and Constitutional Mandates
The GIS is tasked with several key responsibilities:
Border Control:
- Regulating and monitoring the entry, residence, employment, and exit of foreigners into and out of Ghana.
Enforcement of Immigration Laws:
- Ensuring compliance with immigration laws and regulations, including the inspection of businesses, educational institutions, and other establishments to verify adherence to immigration requirements.
International Cooperation:
- Advising on and implementing international agreements related to migration in collaboration with other countries and organizations.
Patrol and Surveillance:
- Managing and patrolling the country’s borders to prevent illegal entry and activities.
These functions are outlined in the Immigration Act 2000, Act 573.
Leadership Structure and Ranks
The GIS operates a hierarchical structure comprising various ranks, listed from the highest to the lowest:
- Comptroller-General of Immigration
- Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration
- Commissioner of Immigration
- Deputy Commissioner of Immigration
- Assistant Commissioner of Immigration
- Chief Superintendent of Immigration
- Superintendent of Immigration
- Deputy Superintendent of Immigration
- Assistant Superintendent of Immigration
- Inspector
- Assistant Inspector
- Immigration Control Officer
- Assistant Immigration Control Officer I
- Assistant Immigration Control Officer II
This rank structure ensures a clear chain of command and delineation of responsibilities within the service
Offices or Units
The GIS comprises several specialized units to effectively manage its diverse functions:
Naturalization Section:
- Handles the vetting and review of citizenship and naturalization applications, as well as immigration quota applications.
Investigation Section:
- Conducts in-depth investigations into breaches of immigration laws and processes applications for work and residence permits.
Inspectorate Section:
- Inspects businesses, educational institutions, hotels, and other establishments to ensure compliance with immigration laws and regulations.
These units enable the GIS to address specific areas of immigration management effectively.
Recruitment and Leadership Promotions
The GIS follows a structured recruitment process to attract qualified candidates:
Recruitment:
- The process involves analyzing job requirements, attracting suitable candidates, and selecting the best-qualified individuals. The GIS is committed to fairness and equality, ensuring that all applicants are treated equitably throughout the recruitment process.
Promotions:
- Officers are typically promoted every four years, with promotions accompanied by corresponding salary increases. The promotion process is designed to recognize experience, performance, and the acquisition of new skills.
Appointment of Overseers
The GIS is governed by a 13-member Council appointed by the President of Ghana in accordance with Article 70 of the 1992 Constitution. The Council’s composition includes:
- A chairperson
- The Comptroller-General of Immigration
- One serving officer not below the rank of Deputy Commissioner
- Representatives from various ministries and associations
The Council advises the Minister on policy formulation, oversees administration, welfare, training, and discipline of officers above the rank of Senior Inspector, and ensures the effective performance of the GIS.
Operations and Procedures
The GIS carries out its duties through a range of operations:
Examination of Travel Documents:
- Officers inspect travel documents of individuals entering and exiting the country to verify authenticity and legality.
Enforcement Actions:
- The service enforces immigration laws by conducting inspections and investigations to identify and address violations.
International Collaboration:
- The GIS engages in international cooperation to manage migration issues and implement agreements related to immigration.
Border Patrols:
- Regular patrols are conducted to monitor and secure the country’s borders against illegal activities.
Reference:
- https://home.gis.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/GIS-HR-POLICY-2016.pdf
- https://infopeeps.com/ghana-immigration-service-ranks-and-salary/
- https://home.gis.gov.gh/immigration-service-council/
- https://coverghana.com.gh/ranks-in-the-ghana-immigration-service-gis/