The Governing Council of the Ghana Immigration Service(GIS) has unveiled plans for a major Public-Private Partnership initiative aimed at strengthening border security and improving the welfare of officers.

The proposed project, dubbed 'Operation Secure Our Borders', seeks to mobilise resources to address critical operational and logistical challenges facing the Service.

Chairman of the Council, Rev Stephen Yenusom Wengam, disclosed the initiative when he led a delegation to brief President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House on the strategic direction of the Service.

Rev. Wengam expressed confidence that SECOBOR would significantly enhance the capacity of the GIS to tackle cross-border crimes such as smuggling, human trafficking, and illicit trade, which he said pose serious threats to national security and public safety.

He noted that inadequate resources and logistical constraints continue to undermine operations, affecting revenue mobilisation and legitimate commerce.

The Council also proposed that the Service be allowed to retain up to 80 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) for a five-year period to support infrastructure and operational improvements.

According to Rev. Wengam, the GIS generated over GHS546 million in 2025 but retained only 40 percent, with a significant portion earmarked for the construction of a new national headquarters, leaving limited funds for day-to-day operations.

He further revealed plans to roll out an electronic visa system as part of the Service’s digital transformation agenda, aimed at supporting a 24-hour economy through efficient and secure border management.

Currently, only 12 out of Ghana’s 48 approved border crossing points are automated, a situation he described as a major constraint.

In response, President Mahama reaffirmed government’s commitment to modernising the GIS and improving conditions for officers.

“We stand firmly behind efforts to retool and modernise the Service.

We are working to resolve logistical challenges and improve working conditions so officers can effectively deliver on their mandate,” he said.

The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, also emphasised the need to improve accommodation and welfare for officers, particularly those stationed in remote and high-risk areas.

He announced that seven new regional immigration offices are currently under construction across the country to enhance service delivery and strengthen border management.

The SECOBOR initiative is expected to play a central role in repositioning the Ghana Immigration Service as a key pillar in national security and regional cooperation.