GIS denies strike threat by personnel

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has refuted claims that its personnel are to embark on a strike to protest against alleged difficulties in the service.

It said the claims that the personnel would also demonstrate against the appointment of Commissioner of Police (COP) Dr Peter Wiredu as the Director of the GIS were also untrue.

A statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACOI) Mr Francis Palmdeti, and issued by the GIS said for any group or individuals to suggest that personnel of the GIS were contemplating on a strike or demonstration was an attempt to bring the institutional image and reputation of the service into disrepute.

According to the statement, a statement issued by a group, Mass Action Committee (MAC), sought to impugn the integrity of the GIS.

The statement said officers and men of the security services were trained to endure all kinds of challenges in order to be in a position to protect and defend their people from internal and external aggressors or terrorists.

It reminded the MAC that personnel of security institutions were not permitted to engage in certain acts, such as strikes or demonstrations, although ordinary citizens could do so.

It said the security services had avenues through which their legitimate grievances were channelled to the relevant authorities.

It, therefore, condemned what it referred to as the unwarranted attacks on the professional integrity of the officers and the Head of the GIS by the MAC.

The statement said the GIS was being portrayed in a bad image by persons who might not know the true workings of the institution or persons from within the institution who wished to undermine the integrity of the service.

On the appointment of the head of the GIS, it said personnel of the GIS appreciated the appointing authority of the President.

It reminded the group that personnel of the GIS were not politicians but public servants with a mandate to support the state to function effectively.

“We will continue to play that role and not be distracted by suggestions of strikes from persons who may be ill-informed or may not appreciate the training and orientation of security service personnel,” it said.

According to the statement, under the leadership of Dr Wiredu, the salaries of officers had improved considerably, while negotiations were far advanced to seek the approval of the government to increase the percentage of internally generated funds (IGFs) which should be retained for various aspects of administrative and operational activities, including infrastructural and capital expenditure.

It assured the public that the GIS would remain focused in the discharge of its strategic objectives, such as managing migration in the national interest, defending against irregular migration and contributing to national security.