Ghana Immigration Service
Ghanaian government agency
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is an agency of the government of Ghana under the Ministry of the Interior. It regulates applications for visas, entry, and residence permits in Ghana. It also oversees foreign nationals in Ghana, the processing of passport applications, border control and management, and refugee registration, protection and management.
Greater Accra, Ghana
- Muntaka Mohammad-Mubarak, Minister for the Interior
Emblem of the Ghana Immigration Service | |
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1957 |
| Jurisdiction | Republic of Ghana |
| Headquarters | Independence Avenue, Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana |
Minister responsible |
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Department executive |
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Parent Department | Ministry of Interior (Ghana) |
| Website | https://home.gis.gov.gh/ |
History
Prior to Ghana's independence from Britain, the service was known as the Immigration and Passport Unit,[1] and was under the auspices of the Colonial Police Force of the British-ruled Gold Coast.[1] The unit was headed by Nevile C. Hill.[1]
After the country gained independence in 1957, the expansion of the Ghanaian economy increased the number of foreign businessmen trading in the country. Because of Ghana's lead in the emancipation of the African continent from colonial rule, the number of tourists visiting the country, particularly from neighbouring African states, also increased. To control this influx, in 1960 the government 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.[citation needed][2]
Three years after the Immigration Service was moved to the Ministry of the Interior, the Aliens Act 1963 (Act 160) was enacted to give legal backing to immigration operations.[1] The Ghana Immigration Service was established in 1989 under PNDC Law 226.[1]
Functions
The Immigration Service handled all of the country's dealings with non-citizens. Its stated functions 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 tourism, foreign direct investments, international business and technological transfer without compromising on national security.
Getting a passport
While the GIS plays a role in the passport application process, Ghanaian passports are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
Acquiring a Ghanaian passport is a six-step process:
- Purchase a passport application form from an approved point of sale (some local banks)
- Complete the form correctly and submit it together with relevant documents to a Passport Application Center [PAC]
- Take digital photographs and biometric data-finger-prints
- Receive a submission receipt, with passport collection date
- When the passport is issued, it is sent to PAC where applicants can collect their passports by presenting their submission receipt and undergoing a final biometric check.
It is difficult to acquire a passport in the period assigned to the application form for various reasons, including a shortage of passport booklets and breakdown of passport printers. Shortage of passport application forms can also be a problem.[citation needed]