Ghana's Bold Move: Operation Secure Our Borders Unveiled!

The Governing Council of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has announced an ambitious Public-Private Partnership initiative designed to bolster border security and enhance the welfare of its officers. The initiative, named 'Operation Secure Our Borders', aims to gather resources to resolve significant operational and logistical issues currently faced by the Service. Rev. Stephen Yenusom Wengam, the Chairman of the Council, presented the initiative to President John Dramani Mahama during a briefing at the Jubilee House, outlining the strategic direction for the Service. Rev. Wengam expressed optimism that SECOBOR would greatly improve the GIS's ability to combat cross-border crimes, including smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal trade, all of which he identified as serious threats to both national security and public safety. He highlighted that a lack of resources and logistical support continues to hinder operations, negatively impacting revenue generation and legitimate trade. The Council has also proposed that the Service retains up to 80 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) over the next five years to facilitate infrastructure and operational enhancements. Rev. Wengam noted that the GIS generated more than GHS546 million in 2025 but was only able to keep 40 percent, with a large portion allocated for the construction of a new national headquarters, leaving insufficient funds for daily operations. Additionally, he announced plans to implement an electronic