Review of immigration quotas to create more jobs – Amissah Arthur

Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur on Friday explained that the review of the immigration quotas under the new Ghana Investment Promotion Act is to create more employment and job opportunities for Ghanaians.

He expressed government concern with the employment of expatriate for services that Ghanaians could provide locally and urged the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to enforce the thresholds for investment and immigrant quotas.

“It is important to note that there is no room for additional quotas, an area that had been greatly exploited,” the Vice President said at Assin Fosu in the Central Region when he reviewed the graduation parade of Cadet in-take seven of the GIS.

The Vice President urged immigration officials to ensure that the provisions of the investment laws were not abused when processing application for work permit.

“You should also note that the new Act further provide that investors in the retail sector employ at least 10 Ghanaians,” he said.

Vice President Amissah Arthur explained further that the key objectives of the investment promotion law was creation of employment for Ghanaians and called on the GIS and stakeholder agencies to ensure strict compliance with the essential provisions of the Act so as not to undermine its employment objectives.

He commended the young cadets for successfully completing the six months training.

He however advised them that their meritorious performance should not delude them into a false sense of complacency.

“After today you become the officers of the Ghana Immigration Service and a lot will be expected of you.  You will now have to prove your worth and justify the investment the country has made in training you.

“You will be required to show honesty, hard work, discipline and dedication to your country.  You will acknowledge and respect your superior officers.  You will support them in their command. You will carry out their lawful command.  You will intend conduct yourselves responsibly. You will be required to be fair and firm with your subordinates and treat them with respect. In so doing you will earn their respect and confidence.”

The Vice President prayed for God’s guidance and asked that He fortifies them in their new carrier.

Mr Isaac Adi Luortey, the Commandant of the Ghana Immigration Service Academy and Training School in a message, advised the graduates that the knowledge and skills they had acquired should guide them in their new responsibilities as leaders in the various commands that they would be posted to and endeavour to be good exemplary leaders to their subordinates.

“As commissioned officers I encourage you to be mindful of your mandate to secure our borders and to uphold the constitution of Ghana and also contribute to national security,” Mr Luortey said.

The graduates who distinguished themselves were recognized with various awards.

Ms Joyce Mawuena Adjah who was adjudged the overall best cadet swept most of the prizes.

The 96 graduates underwent the six months intensive training in physical exercises, drill, musketry, academic and professional courses designed to equip them with the skills required to pursue a carrier in the GIS.

In 1989 through the promulgation of PNDC Law 226, the Ghana Immigration Department became a Security Service with a para-military status.  With this new status the need for the service to develop its own training facility where professional training of the staff could be delivered became paramount.

Prior to the establishment of the academy and training school in 1998, the immigration officers were trained by the Military, Police and Fire Service.

The Immigration Service Academy was established during the tenure of the former Director of Immigration, Mr William Aboah now National Security Advisor who acquired two road camp from the Assin Traditional Authorities.

In December 2001 the late Vice President Aliu Mahama commissioned the academy and training school and also reviewed the graduation parade for the first batch of the officer cadet trained by the academy.

Mr Acquah Adobah, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police was engaged as the first Commandant.

The seventh batch of the officers admitted into the academy last July included four international cadet from the Republic of Liberia.

Source: GNA