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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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Traders, ‘Okada’ riders take over Circle pavement
• Korle-Bu CEO with staff of Nivaansh MediQas
Activities of traders and drug addicts are contributing to make the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Circle) area very uncomfortable and unsafe for commuters.
Day in and out, pedestrians are ‘ejected’ from the pavement created for their safety as traders preferred to sell their wares on that space.
That hinders the free movement of the pedestrians.
The small space left for the pedestrians are also shared with ‘Okada’ riders.
As if these woes are not enough for a commuter on a single day, they also have to navigate carefully to avoid clashes with drug addicts and the mentally challenged.
These people have turned the pavements into their places of abode, covering every inch of space with their wares.
Our photographer, Lizzy Okai, captures some of the unfriendly scenes the authorities must try and deal with to restore sanity to the area.
By Lizzy Okai
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NDC outlines demands before committing to Peace Pact
The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has set forth specific conditions that the party insists must be met before considering signing the Peace Pact advocated by the National Peace Council in anticipation of the December 7 elections.
Mr. Nketia expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of past Peace Pacts, highlighting that they had not achieved their intended outcomes, particularly referencing the 2020 elections, during which eight NDC members were allegedly killed by national security operatives without accountability.
During an August 20 meeting with the National Peace Council at the NDC headquarters, Mr. Nketia detailed the certain conditions for the NDC’s participation in the Peace Pact.
The NDC is demanding that the recommendations from the investigation into the violence during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election be fully implemented.
They also want those responsible for election-related violence in the last election to be prosecuted, stressing the importance of justice and prevention.
The party is calling for accountability regarding irregularities in the printing of ballot papers and insists that visible measures be taken to prevent such issues from happening again.
They are also pushing for a thorough investigation into the missing IT equipment from the Electoral Commission’s (EC) warehouse, expressing concerns about the integrity of the EC’s systems and the potential bias of its staff.
Furthermore, the NDC is urging the President to publicly commit to respecting the results of the 2024 elections. Lastly, the party insists that the Peace Pact should be signed by key figures, including the Inspector General of Police, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, and the National Security Coordinator, before they will consider signing it themselves.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
