Ghana Immigration Service intercepts 98 illegal entrants, raises over GH¢211,000 in 2025 at Paga sector
The Sector Commander, Deputy Chief Immigration Officer (DCOI) Williams Sabi, disclosed this when he briefed members of the Kassena Nankana West District Assembly during its Third Ordinary Meeting.
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at the Paga Sector Command intercepted, arrested, and repatriated 98 foreign nationals for immigration breaches in 2025, while also generating GH¢211,975 in revenue for the state, despite revenue mobilisation not being its core mandate.
The Sector Commander, Deputy Chief Immigration Officer (DCOI) Williams Sabi, disclosed this when he briefed members of the Kassena Nankana West District Assembly during its Third Ordinary Meeting.
According to DCOI Sabi, the Paga Sector Command has a personnel strength of 249 officers and operates across several locations, including the Paga Border Post, Navrongo Municipal Office, Builsa North and Builsa South, Kandiga Checkpoint, Kayoro Outpost, and the Sirigu Outpost.
“When we come to Paga, the Paga Sector Command, with a strength of 249, comprises the Paga Border Post, the Navrongo Municipal Office, Builsa North Municipality, Builsa South District, the Kandiga Checkpoint, Kayoro Outpost, and the Sirigu Outpost,” he said.
Beyond approved entry points, the Command also patrols numerous unapproved routes as part of its daily operations to prevent illegal entry into the country.
“There are several unapproved routes that the Command patrols on its daily operations,” DCOI Sabi noted, mentioning areas such as Kongo 1 and 2, Gware Walkway, Nania, Chania, Nakolo, Pindaa, Manyoro, Kayoro, Sakaa, Bonia, and Far East, among others.
He stressed that border security efforts are strengthened through close collaboration with other security agencies, both locally and across Ghana’s borders.
“The working relationship with other security agencies remains cordial, both within and across the border, as we collaborate almost daily… to ensure a smooth management of the border,” he said.
As part of preparedness against cross-border threats, DCOI Sabi recalled a joint simulation exercise conducted in October 2023 involving the Military, National Intelligence Bureau, Customs, the Narcotics Control Commission, and the Immigration Service.
“There was a joint simulation exercise codenamed Operation Burning Arrow to test the security agencies’ preparedness to deal with a real situation of armed attack at the border,” he explained.
He added that officers of the Command are deployed daily under Operation Conquered Fist, a security initiative launched in 2019 to counter the threat of violent extremism, terrorism, and jihadist spillover from Burkina Faso.
“The operation has sustained the government’s efforts to ward off any attack from jihadists,” DCOI Sabi stated.
On immigration enforcement, the Sector Commander explained that the Command regularly intercepts persons attempting to enter Ghana illegally, some of whom attempt to bribe their way through border points.
“Interceptions are people who are not allowed to come in, but have money to slip in. We arrest and send them back,” he said.
Despite immigration control not being a revenue-generating mandate, DCOI Sabi revealed that the Command raised GH¢211,975 in 2025, paid into the Consolidated Fund, mainly through Emergency Entry Visas (EEV), transit visas, and penalties for overstaying.
“Even though our mandate is not to raise revenue, we do raise revenue for the government,” he noted.
Breaking down the figures, he said GH¢181,400 came from Emergency Entry Visas, GH¢975 from transit visas, and GH¢29,600 from overstays.
He used the opportunity to educate the public on immigration procedures, explaining that non-ECOWAS nationals who arrive at the border without visas but meet requirements may be granted Emergency Entry Visas, while ECOWAS nationals are permitted to stay in Ghana for 90 days, after which extensions must be formally obtained.
DCOI Sabi also appealed to the public to assist the Service by reporting suspicious foreign nationals.
“They may be black, but they may not be ECOWAS nationals. When you see them, help us arrest them, because they may be owing the government of Ghana some money,” he urged.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | Alexander Kubabom
