Ghana Immigration Service
Emblem of the Ghana Immigration Service
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| Department overview | |
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| 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 | http://www.ghanaimmigration.org |
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is an agency of the government of Ghana under the Ministry of the Interior. The GIS regulates examination and authorization of application for visas, entry and residence permits in Ghana. Control of foreign nationals in Ghana, Facilitation of Ghanaian passport application processing, border control and management, Refugee registration, protection and management. The service advises on and ensures the effective implementation of all laws and regulations pertaining to immigration and related issues.[1]
Prior to Ghana's independence from Britain, the service was known as the Immigration and Passport Unit, and was under the auspices of the Colonial Police Force of the British-ruled Gold Coast. The unit was headed by Nevile C. Hill.
After the country gained independence in 1957, the expansion of the Ghanaian economy increased the number of foreign businessmen trading in the country. Bbecause 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, a Cabinet decision in 1960 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.
Three years after the Immigration Service was moved to the Ministry of Interior, the Aliens Act 1963 (Act 160) was enacted to give legal backing to immigration operations. The Ghana Immigration Service was established in 1989 under PNDC Law 226. The service has a statutory mandate to regulate and monitor the entry, residence, employment and exit of foreigners in the country. The passage of the Immigration Act of 2000 (Act 573) expanded the functions and roles of the service to include giving indefinite residence and right of abode facilities to foreigners.
The Immigration Service is charged with handling all the needs that relate to the country's dealings with non-citizens. The functions of the service are:
The issuance of a Ghanaian passport is done by the ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and not by the Ghana Immigration Service. The Ghana Immigration Service only plays a role in the passport application process.
Acquiring a Ghanaian passport is a six-step process:
This comes at a fee of GH¢100.00 (US$70.00) for the express service or GH¢50.00 (US$35.00) for regular service. However, it is difficult to acquire a passport in the period assigned to the application form due to reasons such as shortage of passport booklets and break-down of passport printers. Shortage of passport application forms is also a hindrance to easy acquisition of the Ghanaian passport.
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