Ghana Immigration Promotes 4 Officers

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has promoted four officers for their valor and selflessness during a mission to rescue three colleagues who were attacked in Bawku by unknown assailants.

Inspector Lawrence Afari, age forty-two, was assigned to the Kulungugu post, while Assistant Inspector Eric Ayidiya, age thirty, was assigned to the Polimakom border post. Both were treated at the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital for their injuries.

42-year-old Inspector Philip Motey succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack. He was interred the Saturday before.

Michael Brewu Ampofoh, Chief Superintendent, was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Immigration for rescuing his colleagues.

Officer of Immigration Control (ICO) Wise Elorm Addo was promoted to Assistant Inspector, and Emmanuel Forson was promoted from Assistant Immigration Control Officer Grade II to Assistant Immigration Control Officer Grade I.

In addition, each of the four officers was presented with citations, certificates, and mementos in recognition of their service.

Kwame Asuah Takyi, Controller-General of Immigration, stated in an address that on April 3, 2023, at approximately 19:51 hours, Chief Superintendent Michal Brewu Ampofoh received a distress call from Assistant Inspector Eric Afari, who informed the Bawku Command of an attack by unknown gunmen who fired multiple shots at their vehicle, killing Inspector Phillip Motey and injuring two others.

Mr. Takyi commended Chief Superintendent Ampofo and the other three individuals for their prompt response in spite of the peril.

"Quickly, Chief Superintendent Ampofoh and a team of three other officers rushed to the scene while keeping in touch with Assistant Inspector Laurence Afari via his phone, receiving directions and assuring the victims that help was on the way until the team arrived... while it shocked me and many others how the immigration response team got there faster despite the danger," he stated.

In volatile duty areas such as Bawku, he implored other officers to follow the example set by the four by not abandoning fellow colleagues in need of assistance.

"I say this because we are all aware of the situation in the Bawku region and the threat the conflict poses to security officials and locals," he explained.


In a speech on behalf of Minister Ambrose Dery, Mrs. Adelaide Anno-Kumi, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Interior, praised the immigration service for recognizing the heroism of four officers in accordance with regulation 171D (2016) L.I. 2245 of the Ghana Immigration Service.

Ms. Anno-Kumi implied that the Government, through the Ministry of the Interior, was aware of the dangers encountered by immigration service officers who worked around the clock to ensure the safety and security of the country's borders and prevent all types of transnational crimes.

The government will continue to retool the service so that it can fulfill its mandate, she added.

Michael Brewu Ampofoh, who was recently promoted, stated in a media interview that while he was pleased to be recognized for his hard work, he viewed this award and promotion as an additional responsibility that demanded greater effort and commitment.

"... day in and day out, when we are promoted from one rank to the next, there is a paradigm shift in your behavior, operations, attitudes towards work, and how you respond to such calls," he explained.