Immigration, Prison 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), Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, have paid a courtesy visit to the Paramount Chief of the Gbese Traditional Council, Nii Ayi Bonte II.

The two separate visits were to familiarise themselves with their operational areas in the country and to build a strong working relationship with the traditional authorities.

It was also to 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, who 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.

The two delegations were welcomed with traditional prayers, and both presented assorted drinks as tradition demands to the Gbese Mantse.

Welcoming them to his palace, Nii 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.

Comptroller-General

The Gbese Mantse 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.

Samuel Basentale Amadu (right), Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service, being welcomed to the Gbese Mantse Palace by Nii Ayi Bonte II

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 is 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, 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.”

Mr Amadu said the headquarters of the Immigration Service was located on Ga land, and 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.”

Prisons Director-General

Nii Ayi Bonte said the Ghana Prisons Service Director-General’s  visit demonstrated  her commitment to building a holistic 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 in her.

Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie 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. 

She said the prisons are for the good, the bad, the non-educated, hot-tempered people, but daily, their work as prison officers is to make sure to relate very well with all of them to ensure they allow them to live their lives once again.