GIS Begins Shift Sponsored Training in Risk Analysis and Intelligence-Led Border Management

Accra: Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), in partnership with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), has officially commenced a 10-day intensive training programme on Risk Analysis and Intelligence Collection. This initiative marks the operational rollout of the 48-month Strengthening and Harmonizing Integrated Border Management Frameworks and Technical (SHIFT) Project, a strategic collaborative effort aimed at modernising Ghana's border security infrastructure. According to Ghana News Agency, the Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Mr. Samuel Basintale Amadu, addressed officers at the opening ceremony in Accra, highlighting the indispensable role the Service played in safeguarding Ghana's borders against rapidly changing transnational crimes and extremist movements. He revealed that to decisively counter these contemporary threats, the GIS is actively transitioning into an intelligence-driven institution. This shift prioritises professional data analysis, suspicious behaviour detection, and enhanced inter-agency collaboration. Mr. Amadu noted, "Criminal networks today operate fluidly across multiple jurisdictions, leveraging advanced technology, forged documentation, cyber tools, and complex financial channels to facilitate their operations." He further commented on the exploitation of irregular migration routes by terrorist groups and extremist elements, which necessitates the evolution of the Ghana Immigration Service into a fully intelligence-driven institution. The Comptroller-General was accompanied at the event by Madam Amala Obiokoye Nwalor, Head of Office for the ICMPD, the key partnering stakeholder of the SHIFT Project. Madam Nwalor emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating, "Risk analysis is the backbone of intelligence-led border management. It is important for GIS officers to be trained because without the right skills, they cannot anticipate threats or respond effectively." She stressed that the training is designed to ensure GIS remains professional and aligned with international standards. The capacity-building programme has brought together 30 selected frontline officers from various key entry and exit points across the country. Over the 10-day period, participants will be introduced to advanced data technologies and modern risk assessment systems, equipping them with practical skills to conduct robust institutional risk analysis and detect security threats effectively. The £7.3 million EU-funded SHIFT project, implemented by the ICMPD, responds to escalating security challenges in West Africa, where porous borders, terrorism spillover from the Sahel, and transnational organized crimes contribute to border vulnerability and instability.