The National Intelligence and Enforcement Bureau of the Ghana Immigration Service has been tasked  to redeem the corporate  image of the Service,  by making their operations effective and visible,  exhibit high standards of professionalism  in the way  and manner in which  they gather information, conduct investigations and also  deal with  other stakeholder agencies.

Addressing the first National Enforcement and Intelligence officers Conference in Accra, the Director of Immigration,COP (Dr.) Peter A. Wiredu, stated that it has become important for the Service to win back the confidence of the public which has been marred by some unscrupulous officers.

The Conference which was funded by the Thematic Programme on Migration and Asylum, is aimed at strengthen the intelligence and enforcement network of the GIS and develop an efficient intelligence gathering mechanism to ensure effective compliance of immigration regulations and  support national security.

It is also to enable the enforcement and Intelligence   personnel throughout the country to interact and formulate a national strategy to ensure an effective coordinated immigration enforcement system.

Dr. Wiredu, said the Enforcement and Intelligence Bureau [EIB] which is located at the Headquarters, is expected to coordinate the activities of all the Regional offices and Sector Commands.

He assured the Bureau of Managements support of their activities and expressed the hope that the Bureau would also helpby generating funds from their operations when and where necessary.

Explaining the mandate of the Bureau, the head, Asst. Director of Immigration, [ADI] Laud Affrifa, said, they are to ensure compliance with the immigration laws in the country, establish breaches, investigate cases of migrant smuggling, human trafficking, travel and other document fraud and generate intelligence to support immigration and national security operations.

He mentioned that the enforcement of immigration controls has undergone tremendous transformation from general swoops to intelligence led immigration operations.

ADI Affrifa, drew the attention of the Service to some of the challenges  EIB is facing which  include; vehicle for operations, funds for training, computer, communication gadgets, document fraud detection equipment, among others and he expressed the hope that the Service would assist in the provision of these needs.

The thirty five participants for the conference were drawn from the Enforcement Unit, Intelligence, KIA, MIB Operations, PPMEU, Processing Unit, Public Affairs, Regional/ Sector Commands.

The Bureau which is headed by an Asst. Director of Immigration {ADI} consists of the Enforcement, Intelligence, Anti Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Person [AHSTIP] and Document Fraud Expertise Centre [DFEC].