Accra: The Diaspora African Forum (DAF), the Embassy for the African Diaspora, has organized a two-day training for officers of the Accra International Airport (AIA) Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to ensure effective communication and quality customer service.
According to Ghana News Agency, the training, held from September 9 to 10, 2026, was themed 'Improving Customer Service and Engagement with the Diaspora Community.' It aimed to strengthen the capacity of immigration officers to communicate effectively, manage difficult situations, and provide quality customer service while maintaining immigration control, orderly migration, and national security.
DCOI Dr. Noah Ahomka Yeboah, Regional Commander, highlighted that the initiative would fortify the relationship between Africa and its diaspora, promoting capacity building and partnerships to aid the continent's development. He expressed gratitude to the DAF for extending the training to GIS officers, emphasizing the significance of AIA as a major entry point and a critical contact point for travelers entering and leaving Ghana.
Dr. Yeboah noted that every interaction between an immigration officer and a traveler contributed to shaping the image of GIS and, ultimately, Ghana. He stressed the importance of professionalism and integrity in these interactions, particularly with members of the African diaspora visiting Ghana to reconnect with their cultural identity and heritage.
Ambassador Dr. Erieka Bennett, Founder and Head of Mission of the DAF, stated that there were over 300 million Africans in the diaspora, many of whom left the continent in search of better opportunities. She mentioned that the DAF's objective was to contribute to Africa's advancement, both historically and economically. Ghana's role as a significant destination for those seeking to reconnect with Africa and their heritage was underscored, making effective communication and customer service essential.
Madam Maud Anima Quainoo, the Deputy Commissioner of Immigration and Head of Public Affairs of the GIS, remarked that training was valuable only when participants applied the acquired knowledge to their work. Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr. Samuel Basintale Amadu, she emphasized that officers at the airport were frontline representatives of both the GIS and Ghana as a whole. She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired to their work at various ports, sectors, and commands to build a positive image of the Ghana Immigration Service.