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GIS, others urged to uphold dignity, sanctity of country
Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong has called on the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and other sister security services to show a sense of nationalism for peace to prevail as the country approaches this year’s General Election.
He indicated that security officers, including personnel of the GIS would be at the forefront performing duties to ensure peace, law and order before, during and after the elections.
“In that line of duty, it is important for them to think Ghana first and perform their duties fairly when given the opportunity to serve the state in such stewardship.”
Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong made the comment during the maiden edition of the Eastern Regional Command West African Security Services Association (WASSA) to celebrate officers who have been working throughout the year to ensure the mandate of the service, maintaining security in the region and foster good working relationship among officers.
Mr Acheampong stated that there was the need for the security personnel to uphold the dignity of the country and be committed to serving and protect the sanctity of the country.
“Ghana is a blessed country and there is the need for all of us to protect its peace to enable us to benefit from it,” he said and urged the security officers not to follow politicians into wrong doing.
By that, he expressed the belief that Ghanaians can build a peaceful state, and urged all to do their best to for the development of the region.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCOI) FaiselDisu disclosed that the Command has generated a revenue of GH¢742,722.50 this year from 1, 075 passport applications.
The amount represents an increase of 80.4 percent in revenue as compared to the GH¢411,687.50 generated in 2023.
He attributed that to the increase in applications being processed by the Command within the period, adding that the region has been known to be one of the fastest in delivering quality services.
He said the region was one of the inland Command with a total staff strength of 961 personnel, indicating that the regional office in Koforidua has a staff strength of 282 personnel.
However, he indicated that these 282 personnel were unfortunately operating from only five room office accommodation at the regional office, two rooms office space at the Regional Coordinating Council as an Enforcement Unit, and three rooms office space at Effiduase.
He revealed that the Comptroller General in pursuant of Regulation 1(4) of the Immigration Service Regulation 2016 L.I.2245 in consultation with the Ghana Immigration Governing Council has elevated some sections and units of the GIS to the status of Departments which needed to be headed by Commissioners of the Service.
That, he said was intended to lead to expansion and operational effectiveness.
“Hence, more personnel would be posted to the region to operationalise the departments but we do not have adequate office accommodation to host them,” DCOI Disu revealed.
He said the inadequate infrastructure and furniture was real challenge as the Command has seen a tremendous increase in the number of personnel, causing overcrowding in the already limited office spaces.
He thanked the Comptroller General of GIS, Mr Kwame AsuahTakyi (Esq), Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong, and Regional Commander of the Ghana Fire Service, ACFOI Jenifer NaaYarleyQuaye for their support.
He was also grateful to Akromah Gold Limited, E&H Quarry Limited, Denker Industries, Quality Quarry Limited, Malaika Fisheries, China Fujian Fisheries, King Aquatic Fisheries and West African Fisheries for sponsoring the event.
From AmaTekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
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GEXIM deepens relations with US EXIM Bank
A management team of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) led by the Acting Chief Executive, Sylvester Mensah met with the leadership of the Export–Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) on Wednesday April 23, 2025 in Washington DC, United States of America.
The Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM, Mr. James C. Cruse and Vice President, International Relations, Ms. Isabel Galdiz received the GEXIM delegation, which included Deputy CEO for Banking, Mr. Moses Klu Mensah and Head of International Cooperation, Mr. Jonathan Christopher Koney at the headquarters of US EXIM.
The meeting offered the GEXIM team the opportunity to share the strategic direction of the Bank in line with the resetting agenda of the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for the repositioning of the Ghanaian economy into an export-led one by providing the requisite investment to Ghanaian businesses.
Mr. James C. Cruse expressed US EXIM’s eagerness to deepen its existing relations with GEXIM and proposed the signing of a new Cooperative Framework Agreement following the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019 to utilize US EXIM’s medium term loan guarantees to procure machinery by GEXIM for qualified Ghanaian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Mr.Sylvester Mensah thanked the Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM for hosting the GEXIM delegation and reaffirmed the Ghanaian government’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment between Ghana and its global partners for economic transformation of Ghana with GEXIM playing a pivotal role.
The two teams will be meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 US EXIM Annual Conference on 29th and April 30, 2025 to explore possible areas of collaboration and matching Ghanaian businesses to American companies. The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts.
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
