The Ghana Immigration Service is an organization in the Ministry of the Interior of Ghana which regulates the country's dealings with non-citizens.[1] The service also advises on and ensures the effective implementation of all laws and regulations pertaining to immigration and related issues.[2]
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Prior to Ghana's independence, the service was known as the Immigration and Passport Unit[3] and was under the Colonial Police Force of the British-ruled Gold Coast.[3] The unit was headed by Mr. Nevile C. Hill.[3]
After the country gained independence in 1957, the expansion of the Ghanaian economy increased the number of foreign businessmen trading in the country. Again, because of Ghana's lead in the emancipation of the African continent from colonial rule, the number of tourists visiting the country, particularly the citizens of 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.[3] 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.[3]
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:[1]
The Immigration Service is headed by Director of Immigration Elizabeth Adjei.
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