GIS Holds Workshop On Gender-Based Violence And Protection

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) recently organized a workshop on gender issues for its personnel stationed in the Northern sector of the country, specifically in Kumasi. The objective of this training session was to enhance the capabilities of personnel, who serve as focal points on Gender-Based Violence and Protection (GBVP), to effectively tackle issues related to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH) and gender discrimination generally.

Dr. Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, Esq., the Executive Director of Ark Foundation Ghana, facilitated the workshop. ASI Barbara Akuffo-Asante, the Ashanti Regional Gender Focal Person, and DCOI Fred Amankwa, the Ashanti Regional Commander, were present and engaged with the media during the event.

The workshop was driven by the need to instill a zero-tolerance policy for gender-based violence, grounded in the values and norms of the UN Charter, which champions human dignity, equality, and rights. The UN Charter obliges the international body to foster conditions where justice and respect for international laws can be upheld. GIS, as a key player in border management, not only enforces immigration laws but also safeguards vulnerable individuals.

During their routine operations, GIS personnel often come across victims of abuse and are tasked with ensuring that the agency's actions reflect professionalism and humanity. The focal points are crucial in this regard, acting as the agency's 'eyes, ears, and conscience,' ensuring that officers maintain high ethical standards and handle victims with dignity and respect.

The biennial coordinating meeting for the GBV-PSEAH unit, which will be launched on September 16, 2026, serves as a platform to strengthen the reporting, referral pathways, and intelligence coordination mechanisms for the prevention of such cases.

ASI Akuffo-Asante emphasized that gender-based abuse is not confined to GIS offices, but can also occur at the borders when migrants face exploitation. She urged anyone who encounters abuse from an immigration officer or civilian to lodge a complaint at the nearest Immigration office. She further stressed that an individual's status as an immigrant does not hinder their right to report such incidents.