According to GIS, Mr. Ashok was living in the country illegally because his work and residence permits had expired since December 15, 2017.

“The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) on Sunday, the 11th of March 2018, repatriated Mr. Ashok Sivaram Kumar, an Indian businessman to his home country on the grounds of expiration of his work and residence permits.

[contextly_sidebar id=”JzSF6DTzDihCUaj3X6Ag3gY83R9OSzJy”]“By section 20(1) of the Immigration Act, 2000 [Act 573], Mr. Ashok Kumar had over stayed his residence permit which expired on 15th December, 2017. This rendered his stay in Ghana illegal. Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, acting in accordance with Section 21 of the Immigration Act, 200 [Act 573] ordered his repatriation. Mr. Ashok Kumar has since been repatriated to his home country,” a statement signed by Head of Public Affairs at GIS, Supt. Michael Amoako-Atta added.

Background

The GIS, following an order by the Interior Ministry in June 2017, deported Mr. Sivaram on the premise that he had forged his marriage certificate in an application for citizenship, which led his lawyer to contest his deportation by seeking judicial review.

The High Court, which first heard the case, upheld the businessman’s application and quashed his deportation order on July 31 on the grounds that the Interior Minister exceeded his jurisdiction.

The applicant, after the failure of the GIS to comply with the first order, sought an order from the court in September the same year to compel them to comply with the first order.

The High Court once again ordered the GIS to restore the Residence and Work Permit of Mr. Sivaram within seven days, and also ordered the GIS’s assigns, agents and servants to desist from harassing him until his application before the Service was duly processed.

The GIS, represented by the Attorney General’s office, after the second case, filed a stay of proceedings at the High Court which was subsequently dismissed.

They went ahead to appeal the ruling in the Court of Appeal which was also dismissed leading them to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court however upheld GIS’s position and quashed the ruling of the High court which had compelled the Immigration Service to restore the work and residence permits of Mr. Ashok Kumar.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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Earlier this month, thousands of Ghanaian youth had to apply for only 500 spots in the Ghana Immigration Service recruitment exercise.

[contextly_sidebar id=”kUv5alV9CRBW4g21KhHlJX4gsOCqNFlS”]The group is asking the Commission to among other things, investigate and make pronouncements on the propriety of financial and administrative processes surrounding GIS and other public institutions’ recruitment, relative to the  Public Financial Management Act 2016 (Act 921) and the Financial Administration Regulation 2004 (LI 1802).

Speaking on Eyewitness News, the Communications Director for the Group, Benjamin Alpha, explained that their petition is to also establish a standardized procedure that will guide public sector agencies in future recruitment exercises.

“Public service agencies like the Immigration Service cannot fix fees and collect same without recourse to Parliament, and we want CHRAJ to make a determination on that,” Alpha explained.

The Ghana Immigration Service received about 84,000 applications at the end of its 2017/2018 application process.

The number, which is seen as an exponential increase from previous exercises,  has been explained to be as a result of the worsening unemployment situation in the country.

Many have since described the Immigration Service’s Ghc 50 charge for the sale of e-voucher cards for the online application as unfair, after it emerged that the Service will only recruit 500 out of the total number of applicants to fill the limited available positions.

The Service has however explained that, though restrictions were given in a bid to regulate and limit the numbers, applicants who were not qualified still flouted the rules and purchased the vouchers.

“Inherent in the requirements and processes were restrictions to regulate and limit the number of applicants, such as age, height and even the period for the sale of e-voucher was also limited. Yet we had applicants who did not meet the basic requirements but went ahead to purchase the vouchers.”

Despite these concerns , the Immigration Service assured that “every money collected is well accounted for and will be judiciously used for the intended purpose.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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In an application for committal for contempt, lawyers for the businessman contend that, the head of the Immigration Service has failed to comply with orders of the High Court instructing the service to restore the residence and work permit of their client.

[contextly_sidebar id=”CZWy0auGaYwFALr4MayyhJR7kRkt8ZvY”]The contempt application follows a granting of a mandamus on the 18^th of September 2017, directing the GIS to restore  Mr. Sivaram’s work and residence permit within seven days.  But the Immigration Service as of today [Monday], October 01, 2017, has not complied with the court directive.

Meanwhile, the Indian businessman has petitioned President Nana Akufo-Addo to call the Minister of Interior and the Comptroller of the Ghana Immigration Service to order, over what he termed as harassment by the two.

Mr. Sivaram said he was constantly being harassed by officials of the Ghana Immigration Service, and he believes his frustrations are part of a grand scheme to transfer interests in his company, Jai Mai Communications Limited, to his business partner.

The Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Kwame Asuah Takyi, has however rejected accusations that he is conniving with the Interior Minister to frustrate the Indian businessman.

Background

The High Court last week ordered the Immigration service to restore the work and residence permit of Mr. Sivaram within seven days, after months of failing to do so, despite a decision quashing his deportation due to its illegal nature.

The court on July 31, 2017, quashed the deportation of Mr. Sivaram by the Interior Minister, Ambrose Derry.

According to the court, the Interior Minister exceeded his jurisdiction by determining fraud against the Indian businessman without recourse to the court.

But Mr. Sivaram, since his return to the country, has not been given a visa despite a court order.

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By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Immigration Service boss cited for contempt appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is being actualised through the provision of logistics and equipment, training and congenial working environment, amongst others under one of the deliverables of the Ghana Integrated Migration Management Approach (GIMMA) projects, sponsored and implemented by the European Union (EU) and International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The Western Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCI) Dr. Prosper P.D. Asima, said this in a speech delivered on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI) when he inaugurated a new border post at Antokrom near Dadieso in the Suaman District of the Western Region of Ghana.

According to DCI Dr. Asima, the good fit between physical border control infrastructure, human resource, legislation, well-designed procedures and trained and experienced staff as well as innovative technology were crucial to remaining optimal as a Service in manning the borders.

“It is therefore heartwarming to learn that there would be additionally, a training programme for Officers”, he added.

He reckoned that recent developments in global spheres and discourse had placed key emphasis and relevance on migration management as it contributes and shapes the economy of nations and that it was in the right direction that the GIS identifies itself with and share in the commitment of the international community of humane and orderly migration benefits.

DCI Dr. Asima assured IOM and EU that the facility would be put into good use and proper maintenance culture given it.

The District Chief Executive of Suaman, Hon. Christian Baah who expressed joy at the establishment of the new border post said it would not only enhance the operations of the GIS in fight against smuggling along the borders of Ivory Coast but would also significantly aid the effort of the Ghana Police Service at maintaining peace and order in the District.

The new border post has offices, holding rooms for human trafficking victims, communication gadgets, computers, night vision devices, metal detectors, tents, camp beds, raincoats, solar panels, standby generator, a border patrol vehicle and motor bikes.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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In 2015, Parliament gave approval for the passage of the Immigration Service Act, which seeks to strategically position the service to deliver on its mandate, and contribute to the maintenance of law and order in the country.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony which was held on Tuesday, he said the council has a stake in ensuring the immediate full implementation of the Act.

“Notable among the issues is the deployment of Ghana Immigration Service Officers to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in visa matters in Ghana’s missions abroad”.

The members of the council were also called upon to adopt a more comprehensive and cooperative approach in dealing with matters affecting the service.

This council is the first appointed one since Act 908 of the Ghana Immigration Service Act 2016 came into force. The Interior Minister said the Ghana Immigration Service has a very special and crucial role to play in securing the borders and maintaining the country’s territorial integrity and ensuring its economic well-being.

According to the Minister, the whole world, particularly some west African countries, are confronted with what has been described as incessant terrorists attacks.

“In the mist of these challenges and threats, there is also several opportunities for economic advancement that could be harnessed by the country which is well-positioned as the gateway to Africa”.

Members of the council include Dr Edward prempeh as Chairman, kwame Asuah Takyi, Adelaide anno-kumi, Emmanuel Enos, Eric Afari, Samuel Adjei Mensah, Stella Dede Williams, Mattew Amponsah, Peter Zwennes, Hager Dery, Anthony Namoo, Hodari Okae and Benjamin Gyasi.

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By: Naa Kwaamah Siaw-Marfo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post New Immigration Service Council tasked to implement ACT appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has been ruled out of action for two weeks after injuring his right thigh in training.

This comes days after Sulley Muntari was confirmed to have been injured by the club. It is a big blow to both club and country.

Milan have needed both players in this difficult season as Clarence Seedorf has tried to stabilize the ship at the club.

Essien moved from Chelsea in January and has been able to provide a semblance of solidity. But Milan are still ninth.

By: Citi Sports Desk

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