my Radio G-Live Denmark Pledges to Enhance Migration Security in Ghana
Written by GliveRadio Accra on August 1, 2024
The Deputy Ambassador of Denmark to Ghana, Vibeke Sandholm Pedersen, announced that the Danish government has invested approximately 600,000 Euros in equipment, tools, and software for the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) as part of the ‘Strengthening Borders and Migration Management in Ghana Project’ (SMMIG).
SMMIG, proposed by the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and funded by the Danish government, aims to enhance the institutional capacity of the GIS. This includes training in document fraud detection and bolstering the service’s legal department to combat illegal migration, among other objectives.
The first phase of the project began in 2008 and concluded in November 2021. The second phase started in August 2021 and is set to end in July 2024.
She assured of Denmark’s commitment to promoting safe migration in West Africa, during the awards night and closing ceremony of SMMIG, held at the Kempinski hotel.
“In addition to the training, the Denmark government also invested close to 600,000 Euro in providing various equipment, tools and software for the GIS. Although the SMMIG project ends on 31st July, the Government of Denmark continues to champion safety and bridging the migration within the West African Region, the strengthening of migration in West Africa project.”
Project Manager Amala Obiokoye-Nwalor revealed that more than 1,180 GIS officials were trained under the program in areas including cybersecurity, intelligence gathering, evaluation and monitoring, and result-based management.
Obiokoye-Nwalor also noted that SMMIG equipped the service with a state-of-the-art forensic office and a range of cybersecurity tools, among other achievements.
The Comptroller General of the GIS, Kwame Atuah Takyi, who was adjudged with the highest honour for the night and presented with the Leadership Excellence Award, highlighted the benefits of some achievements under the project and commended all the stakeholders involved in championing the agenda of SMMIG.
“One of the significant achievements for GIS, under the project was the evaluation of the 2018-2022 Strategic Plan and subsequent development and launching of the current Strategic Plan 2023-2029 with its attendant activities, which will serve as a guide for the service till the end of 2029.”
