The EU Ambassador to Ghana, William Hanna, and the Ambassador of Italy, Laura Carpini, will begin a two-day visit to the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana from October 1 – 2, 2015 to meet authorities and local communities concerned with migration management and to learn lessons from EU-funded projects on migration management.
On 1 October 2015, the delegation will arrive in Sunyani and meet with the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in Brong Ahafo to discuss migration issues in the region and visit the Migration Consultation Centre (MCC) in Sunyani. They will be given an overview of the progress of the European Union Financed project called "Ghana Integrated Migration Management Approach (GIMMA)".
On 2 October 2015, the delegation will pay a courtesy call on the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister in his office. Their discussions will focus on the causes of migration in the Region, suggestions to address the issue, and expectations for the new Migration Consultation Centre.
The delegation together with officials of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will meet with potential migrants and returnees in Nkoranza to interact with them and to see the efforts of returnees to re-establish their lives back home.
Background:
Ghana Integrated Migration Management Approach (GIMMA)
The Ghana Integrated Migration Management Approach (GIMMA) is a project, funded by the European Union (EU) under the 10th European Development Fund and is implemented jointly by International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).
The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the Government of Ghana’s efforts to manage migration effectively through the establishment of an integrated migration management approach. Specifically, the project aims to enhance the institutional capacities of law enforcement officers to manage its border effectively, increase the awareness of (potential) migrants on safe migration and alternative livelihood options, and strengthen the national migration data management system for better policy planning
Migration is a complex issue that needs a multi-dimensional approach. Although capacity building is one major strategy in managing migration, it does not address all resulting issues. The Integrated Management Approach uses a comprehensive, transparent and coherent approach to migration and border management processes.
See details on the GIMMA fact sheet.
Migration Consultation Centre (MCC)
In order to enhance the national capacities to promote safe, humane, voluntary and orderly migration, as part of the GIMMA project, the following activities are being implemented:
- Rehabilitation of Migration Information Bureau in Accra and Migration Consultation Centre in Sunyani.
- Information Outreach to promote safe and legal migration
- Support to returnees/communities prone to irregular migration to highlight alternative livelihood options.
Migration Information Bureau (MIB) in Accra and Migration Consultation Centre (MCC) in Sunyani, both managed by the GIS, were created seven years ago to promote safe migration. Currently, the centres are facing a number of challenges and have not been sufficiently meeting the needs of visitors.
The new building at Sunyani will offer a neutral space for potential and actual migrants to obtain accurate and reliable information on migration procedures and required documentation, the risks of irregular migration, and the rights and responsibilities of migrants throughout the migration process. The new MCC building in Sunyani will be completed soon and is expected to be launched officially during the International Migrants Day celebration in December 2015. |
