In 2005, cabinet mandated the Ghana Immigration Service to prepare and implement a new Border Policy with a focus on border patrols and policing of the country’s borders. The strategic thrust of this policy is the establishment of an efficient border management system that will show freedom of movement while addressing cross…
The Ghana Immigration Service, therefore took up the additional responsibility of patrolling and securing the country’s borders. The Unit was officially inaugurated at the GIS Headquarters on the 1st November, 2006 by the then Interior Minister, Hon. Albert Kan Dapaah
The primary mission of the Border Patrol Unit is detection and apprehension of illegal aliens and smugglers of aliens at or near the borders. Some of the major activities include marinating traffic Checkpoints along the highways leading from border areas, conducting snap checkpoints and anti-smuggling operations.
These activities are performed with the use of pick-up vehicles and all-purpose motorbikes. In the performance of these duties, the Border Patrol Unit (BPU) has intercepted and arrested a lot of smugglers.
FUNCTIONS
As per the cabinet decision, the GIS was mandated to perform the following general functions which includes but not limited to the prevention, deterring and interception of:
- Illegal Migrants
- Drug Trafficking
- Human Trafficking and Migrant smuggling
- Animal, cash crop and fuel smuggling
- The unit is further tasked to physically patrol all the borders of the country and report on all
forms of suspected subversive activities to the appropriate security agency (ies), it also coordinates with other security agencies to ensure border security and prevent territorial violation.
- The unit is enjoined to be in the state of preparedness to act to contain external aggression prior to the deployment of troops from the Ghana Armed Forces.
SOURCE: Ghana Immigration Service
