ACOI. BELINDA ADWOA SIKA ANIM |
The Migration Information Bureau [MIB] of the Ghana Immigration Service [GIS] has cautioned human smuggling and trafficking syndicates to desist from the act since human smuggling is a crime against the state under the Immigration Amendment Act 2012, Act 848 while human trafficking is also a crime against humanity under the Trafficking Act, 2005.
Adding that, both crimes could lead perpetrators to pay fines to the state or serve a period between three and ten years in prison when found guilty. The Bureau also appealed to the general public to be vigilant in their interactions and dealings with fake visa contractors and those who appear to them as family members or distant relatives to adopt their wards for unfulfilled future promises. |
The Head of the Bureau, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration [ACOI], Belinda Adwoa Sika Anim, made these statements, when she addressed the general public on different media platforms on irregular migration issues for the commencement of the 2014 MIB Nationwide Campaign.
She said, the campaign which seeks to sensitize the general public on the dangers involved in human smuggling, trafficking in persons and the use of fraudulent documents for emigration purposes, was on the theme “using information to dismantle human smuggling syndicates activities in Ghana”. She also urged the public to relay information on activities on people they suspect are linked to any of these Trans – National crimes for the law to take its course.
ACOI Belinda Anim reiterated that, the Service has observed over the years from reports that, some members of the public have little or no knowledge about these crimes and they are ignorantly deceived and led into committing them despite consistent campaigns by the Unit. She however advised parents and especially the youth, to be wary of schemes that syndicates employ with the aim to exploit innocent victims and enrich themselves.
The campaign team was hosted on different television stations and on different programs including, Metro Television’s “AFUTUSEM”, Ghana Television’s [GTV] “BREAKFAST SHOW” language section in English, Ewe, Akan and Nzema languages and on HB Television’s, “ASETENA MU SEM” in Accra.
Other MIB team members who made presentations on these platforms during the campaign included ACOI Fred Doudu, Head/Document Fraud Expertise Centre, ACOI George Annan, Koforidua Regional Office, ACOI James Hayford Boadi, Head/Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Unit [AHSTIP], DSI Kenneth Ebo Mensah, AHSTIP Unit, DSI Vivian Addo – Abotsitse, Work Permit Unit, DSI Vera Arize, Fraud Office [KIA] and Inspector Gifty Amgborme, Public Affairs Unit
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