GIS Denies Leaking Embarkation Information

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has denied allegations that they have been leaking embarkation information provided by travelers using the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). A statement signed by Francis Palmdeti, head of Public Affairs department of the GIS, said the allegation which is contained in audio recording circulating on the social media has no basis. The following is the full press statement; It has come to the attention of the Ghana Immigration Service that a certain audio recording is being circulated on social media to the effect that Customs and Immigration officials at the Kotoka International Airport are in dubious collaboration with some criminals to whom they relay personal information provided on Embarkation and Disembarkation cards by passengers. Much as the Service doubts the veracity of the claim, the GIS would still go ahead to investigate the matter and any officers found culpable would be handed over to the Police since the matter bothers on criminality. It must be emphasized that the GIS appreciates the benefit of social media when it comes to extensive dissemination of information. It, however, does not appreciate the dissemination of unverified and unsubstantiated information sent out via these mediums because they could be irreparably damaging to the reputation of an individual, a group, a corporate body and in some cases a Nation. After listening carefully to the audio recording; one is inclined to believe that the author of the audio did not intend to engage in mass circulation, but was cautioning a particular person or persons about �information� she had received from Ghana and Washington about a particular unverified incident at Dansoman in Accra. It must be noted that this piece of information is not coming from the Ghana Police Service, neither is it coming from the Bureau of National Investigations and therefore is of doubtful credibility. Personal information taken by GIS officials at the points of Entry and Exit are legal requirements. Therefore, any person who deliberately puts down false information on the cards with the intention of misinforming border officials would be breaking the law and thereby liable to suffer the sanctions which go with it. Officials of the GIS are noted in the sub-region for their high sense of professionalism and would not engage in acts that would compromise the confidentiality of information provided by travelers. Any information received by the Service from individuals is used only for the purpose for which they were obtained and nothing else. The GIS, therefore, wishes to re-emphasize its mission of delivering excellence in migration management for national development. We wish to reassure the general public of our professional commitment to deliver on our mandate as expected of us. SIGNED: FRANCIS PALMDETI [ACOI] HEAD/PUBLIC AFFAIRS � GIS