FUNCTION
The main function is to develop intelligence for immigration operations and national security
STRUCTURE
The Division is made up of the following Sections:
- Analysis Section
- Surveillance Section
- Transnational Crime Section
- Data Management and training Section
- Document Fraud Examination Centre
- Administrative Support Unit
Transnational Crime Section
1. To investigate and handle all cases of transnational crime e.g Migrant Smuggling, Human Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, Terrorism, Money Laundering.
2. To track and respond to all information requests from the relevant security and intelligence agencies, eg. BNI, FIC, NACOB, EOCO, National Security, Police, Interpol and other international organizations.
3. To develop intelligence on issues bordering on transnational crimes.
In the Transnational Crime Section is the Counter Terrorism Unit which is responsible for the implementation of GIS role of the national Strategic Processes.
THE ROLE OF GHANA IMMIGRATION IN COMBATTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN GHANA
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is one of the security agencies mandated by the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 Act 694 to help combat the transnational crime of trafficking in Ghana. The GIS saw the need to intensify its operations in the area of trafficking and in 2012, one of the end products of the European Union funded Aeneas II Project, was the establishment of the Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Unit (AHSTIP) in the Service. AHSTIP was granted ample operational powers to disrupt the complex networks of organized human trafficking syndicates in line with the trafficking Act 694, thereby preventing suppressing and punishing offenders of trafficking.
One of GIS mandates, is the patrolling of Ghana’s borders and in the fight against trafficking GIS efforts are geared more at cross border trafficking. Notwithstanding this, the Unit also operates on intelligence based methodology in fighting the menace of trafficking in the country. The AHSTIP Unit is an operational unit that is embedded under the Intelligence Unit of the GIS and that is how the intelligence aspect of fighting the crime of trafficking is carried out.
FUNCTIONS OF THE SECTION
The functions of the Sections are as follows:
Analysis Section
To receive and analyze all reports
To generate intelligence reports
To generate intelligence reports
To generate security alerts and threat assessments
OPERATIONS OF ANTI HUMAN SMUGGLING AND TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS UNIT (AHSTIP)
As earlier stated above, the Unit is an Intelligence – based operational unit and since its inception, it has carried out various activities in the area of rescue, arrest and prevention of trafficking.
Most of the victims recued are mainly women, children and a few males who have fallen victim to trafficking. Most of the victims rescued are often victims found outside the country or intercepted and rescued at our entry points.
The Unit has full investigative powers with trained investigators and prosecutors who handle such cases of trafficking. All personnel of the unit have been trained on issues bordering on trafficking and smuggling.
With collaboration with the Migration Information Bureau (MIB) the Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Unit (AHSTIP) embarks on nationwide information campaigns using mediums such as public or community durbars and the media to inform people on the dangers of trafficking and illegal migration introducing them to legal channels of migration.
In the year 2016 from January to November the Unit has handled a total of 25 cases of suspected trafficking and the various stages has been clearly outlined in the attached statistical sheet.
Human trafficking is a dynamic crime that has different faces and the GIS is very abreast with all the current trends both locally and internationally. The GIS has given training especially to border personnel on areas such as Identification and screening of potential cases of trafficking.
Surveillance Section
To conduct surveillance and checks on persons and organizations of interest
To verify information, documentation and applications
To provide investigative support to all the other sections
Training and Database Management
To organize and coordinate all intelligence training
To maintain a database of all information received and intelligence developed in the Section
To maintain all database terminals in the commands e.g PISCES, Interpol I-247, WAPIS system
Support investigations