GIS, Prisons bosses  call on Gbese Mantse

The Comptrol­ler-General of the Ghana Immigra­tion Service (GIS), Samuel Basentale Amadu and the Di­rector-General of the Ghana Pris­ons Service (GPS), Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, yesterday paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Gbese Traditional Council, Nii Dr Ayi Bonte II.

The two separate visits was to kick-start their engagements with key stakeholders in the country as well as familiarise themselves with their operational areas.

It was to build strong working relationship with the traditional authorities and seek their blessings as well as find ways of working together to build stronger institu­tions.

The first to visit was the Comp­troller-General of the GIS, Mr Amadu, and was accompanied by his deputies and other directors of the GIS.

He was followed by the Director-General of the GPS, Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie who was also accompanied by her deputies and other service directors.

Welcoming them to his palace Nii Dr Ayi Bonte II said it was refreshing to receive such high profile personalities and pledged to work with both institutions to ensure the development of the country.

He said the effectiveness of the country’s immigration service would ensure peace as well as promote foreign direct invest­ment since foreigners would feel comfortable coming to live in the country.

Nii Gbese who is also the Adonten of the Ga State explained that his jurisdiction as the Gbese Mantse covered the whole of the Central Business District of Accra which was gradually experiencing growth in foreign traders.

“With the inception of the 24- hour economy by President John Mahama, we expect to see growth in the retail sector of which Accra Central will lead. We hope that you will work with us to make immi­gration processes very friendly to ensure the foreign participation we expect,” he said.

He also appealed to the Comp­troller not to forget the youth of Gbese in the area of recruitment into the GIS, stressing that “When there are job opportunities and businesses at your workplace, our youth are educated, hardworking and diligent.”

Touching on the Prison Service, Nii Ayi Bonte said the visit demon­strated the Director-General’s com­mitment to building a wholistic approach to reforming the service.

He said the service was very critical in shaping society and the appointment of Mrs Baffoe-Bon­nie as the Director-General demonstrated the high level of confidence the President had her.

Nii Gbese said by prioritising Gbese and making it her first port of call signified the respect she had for the paramountcy.

On his part, the Comptrol­ler-General, Mr Amadu said the headquarters of the Immigration Service was located on Ga land as such it was important for him to come and seek his blessings before commencing with work.

He said “So, Your Royal Maj­esty, this is to tell you that I am prepared to take the relationship between the Ghana Immigration Service and the Gbese mantse to the next level.”

Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie said she did not take it for granted the respon­sibility bestowed on her by the President.

She said her vision for the ser­vice was to push for more reforms and position the service as a world class reformation centre on the continent.

“I am here to assure you that you are going to see more reforma­tion in the Ghana prison service. And our plan as the current direc­tor is to ensure that yes, we have had traditional training programs in the areas of carpentry, sewing and other things.”

 BY CLIFF EKUFUL