The Danish Government, through the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), yesterday presented cyber-security equipment and office furniture worth €350,000 to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to support the administrative and operational needs of the Service.
The items included laptops, Desktop computers, Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera, CCTV monitors, Television sets, printers, photocopier machines, softwares, uninterrupted power supply (UPS), air conditioners, desk/workstation furniture, firewall, swivel chair, IT infrastructure among others.
The equipment and furniture which were procured under the framework of the Strengthening Border and Migration Management (SMMIG) project, aimed at strengthening the institutional and operational capacities of the GIS to manage irregular migration flows.
At a short handing-over ceremony in Accra to present the items, the Deputy Minister for the Interior, Naana Eyiah, said the equipment would help supplement existing ones and enhance the efforts of the Service in investigation, prosecution, intelligence gathering, effective monitoring and cybersecurity.
She said Security Services were faced with spectrum of cyber threats, cybercrime, attacks, espionage and other malicious activities which mostly, did not have the means to monitor and control their networks which expose them to real risks that may affect their national security and economy.
“Cyber security is therefore no longer a peripheral concern but a core aspect of our operations. Border management systems, database, and communication networks are all vulnerable to cyber-attacks,” she added.
The minister underscored the need to protect the systems, saying “this cannot be overemphasised as ICTs and particularly internet, have become the common denominator for the development of all sectors and they represent the foundation for prosperity, growth and security of our societies.”
The Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Kwame Asuah Takyi, said the donation among others made under the project over the years demonstrated the resolve of the Danish Government to contribute meaningfully to the effective and efficient management of migration in the country.
According to him, the project had so far helped in strengthening the capacity of the personnel of the Service in the areas of intelligence gathering, information exchange and document inspection.
He expressed gratitude to the Danish Government for its continuous support, and called on all stakeholders to come on board to help in strengthening the government’s efforts in reducing irregular migration, so that, both countries would enjoy the benefits of a well-managed migration.
Ms Amala Obiokoye-Nwalor, ICMPD Head of Office, Ghana, for her part, emphasised that ICMPD, strongly believed in the development potentials of migration, hence, their quest to supporting the GIS in carrying out its mandate to facilitate the entry and exit of travellers into Ghana, secure the borders and enforce migration laws.
She commended the leadership of the GIS for its commitment in reforming and repositioning the GIS and thanked the Government of Denmark whose funding made the project possible.
The Deputy Denmark Ambassador Vibeke Sandholm Pedersen, commended government of Ghana for its cooperation and expressed their continuous support in fighting irregular migration.
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR