GIS launches ‘Triple S Campaign’ to secure borders, enhance image

By Christabel Oboshie ANNAN & Zeenatu ABUBAKAR, Accra

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has launched  ‘The Triple S Campaign,’ aimed at promoting integrity, accountability, and transparency within the service.

The campaign is designed to achieve key objectives such as securing borders, ensuring national stability, and prioritizing the safety of Ghanaians.

It also seeks to enhance public awareness, especially among civilians, about the professional and ethical standards expected of GIS officers.

Additionally, the campaign encourages the public to report any instances of unprofessional conduct by these officers.

Head of Public Affairs, Chief Superintendent Michael Amoako-Atta, announced the campaign with the tagline “Promoting Accountability, Building Trust, and Empowering People.”

He emphasized that the tagline is more than just a slogan and that it represents a roadmap to a stronger, more secure, and prosperous nation.

The main goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about the GIS’s Code of Conduct and its Reporting Mechanism.

It aims to empower both travelers and the general population to identify and report behaviours that deviate from the Code of Conduct.

The Reporting Mechanism provides individuals a channel to seek resolution while upholding the set ethical standards.

Chief Superintendent Amoako-Atta stressed the importance of securing borders, citing it as crucial for strengthening the first line of defence.

He highlighted how the Code builds officers’ capacity, establishes an ethical framework, and imparts ethical knowledge to citizens, collectively fortifying the country’s defence.

Furthermore, he underscored the significance of ensuring stability in the country, noting that stability serves as the foundation upon which Ghana’s future is built.

The GIS, he said, endeavours to create an environment where every citizen can thrive in peace and predictability.

Regarding the safety of citizens, the GIS focused on deterring, detecting, and preventing unauthorized border crossings and the entry of undesirable elements.

Mr Amoako-Atta emphasized that investing in the safety and well-being of Ghanaians is paramount for their everyday activities.

As part of the campaign, the GIS will publicize contact details for complaints and educate clients about officers’ requirements through official social media platforms and Headquarters’ signage.

He stressed the delicate balance between officers’ legal powers necessary for collective security and respecting citizens’ rights.

He acknowledged the media as key partners in the success of the campaign, urging them to scrutinize GIS actions while aiding in public awareness of the Code of Conduct and its reporting mechanisms.

To further outreach efforts, plans include visiting various media houses to provide deeper insights into the Code of Conduct.

This aligns with the GIS’s commitment to transparency and collaboration with the media in educating the public.

The GIS’s initiative symbolizes a collective effort to foster mutual trust, uphold rights, and reinforce security measures, marking a crucial step towards a more unified and secure Ghana.

Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration for Finance and Administration, Isaac Owusu Mensah, indicated that over the past months, the service has collaborated with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) under a European Union (EU) funded project.

The collaboration according to him, aims to strengthen border security in Ghana and implement the Immigration Service Code of Conduct and Reporting Mechanism.

He stated that this collaboration serves as a check-and-balance system to promote good governance principles within the service.

Additionally, it aims to develop both internal and external reporting mechanisms to enhance integrity.

Isaac Mensah emphasized that the initiative, which he elaborated on, is transformative and supported by three key pillars: security, stability, and safety.

It also involves an awareness campaign to promote accountability, trust, and empower people. Furthermore, it serves as a roadmap for a stronger, more secure, and prosperous Ghana.