Ghana Immigration Service
Encyclopedia
The Ghana Immigration Service is an organization in the Ministry of the Interior of Ghana
which regulates the country's dealings with non-citizens. The service also advises on and ensures the effective implementation of all laws and regulations pertaining to immigration
and related issues.
Force of the British-ruled Gold Coast
. The unit was headed by Mr. Nevile C. Hill.
After the country gained independence in 1957, the expansion of the Ghanaian economy increased the number of foreign businessmen trading in the country. Again, because of Ghana's lead in the emancipation of the African continent from colonial rule, the number of tourists visiting the country, particularly the citizens of neighbouring African states, also increased. To control this influx, a Cabinet
decision in 1960 moved the Immigration and Passport Unit to the Ministry of the Interior
as a department. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs took over the issuing of passports after the change.
Three years after the Immigration Service was moved to the Ministry of Interior, the Aliens Act 1963 (Act 160) was enacted to give legal backing to immigration operations. The Ghana Immigration Service was established in 1989 under PNDC Law 226. The service has a statutory mandate to regulate and monitor the entry, residence, employment
and exit of foreigners in the country. The passage of the Immigration Act of 2000 (Act 573) expanded the functions and roles of the Service to include giving Indefinite Residence and Right of Abode facilities to foreigners.
Ministry of Interior (Ghana)
The Ministry of the Interior is a ministry of the government of Ghana mandated to ensure internal security, as well as the maintenance of law and order in the country...
which regulates the country's dealings with non-citizens. The service also advises on and ensures the effective implementation of all laws and regulations pertaining to immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
and related issues.
History of the service
Prior to Ghana's independence, the service was known as the Immigration and Passport Unit and was under the Colonial PolicePolice
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
Force of the British-ruled Gold Coast
Gold Coast (British colony)
The Gold Coast was a British colony on the Gulf of Guinea in west Africa that became the independent nation of Ghana in 1957.-Overview:The first Europeans to arrive at the coast were the Portuguese in 1471. They encountered a variety of African kingdoms, some of which controlled substantial...
. The unit was headed by Mr. Nevile C. Hill.
After the country gained independence in 1957, the expansion of the Ghanaian economy increased the number of foreign businessmen trading in the country. Again, because of Ghana's lead in the emancipation of the African continent from colonial rule, the number of tourists visiting the country, particularly the citizens of neighbouring African states, also increased. To control this influx, a Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
decision in 1960 moved the Immigration and Passport Unit to the Ministry of the Interior
Ministry of Interior (Ghana)
The Ministry of the Interior is a ministry of the government of Ghana mandated to ensure internal security, as well as the maintenance of law and order in the country...
as a department. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs took over the issuing of passports after the change.
Three years after the Immigration Service was moved to the Ministry of Interior, the Aliens Act 1963 (Act 160) was enacted to give legal backing to immigration operations. The Ghana Immigration Service was established in 1989 under PNDC Law 226. The service has a statutory mandate to regulate and monitor the entry, residence, employment
Employment
Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
and exit of foreigners in the country. The passage of the Immigration Act of 2000 (Act 573) expanded the functions and roles of the Service to include giving Indefinite Residence and Right of Abode facilities to foreigners.
Functions of the service
The Immigration Service is charged with handling all the needs that relate to the country's dealings with non-citizens. The functions of the service are:- to create conducive environments, through the establishment of regulatory frameworks that facilitate the entry, residence and employment of foreigners in Ghana
- to promote socio-cultural and economic development, by drawing a tangent between the promotion of tourismTourismTourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
, foreign direct investments, international business and technological transfer without compromising on national securityNational securityNational security is the requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic, diplomacy, power projection and political power. The concept developed mostly in the United States of America after World War II...
.