Heightened Scrutiny and Processing Delays Expected After Government Officials Dismissed

Employers should anticipate immediate stricter scrutiny and delays in the processing of immigration applications in the short term, following the dismissal of two division heads at the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) this week.

Local press reports suggest the employment terminations are connected to an ongoing police investigation into illegal gold mining activity in Ghana, which has resulted the deportation of more than 4,500 foreign nationals so far this year, as well as the arrest of 43 foreign nationals last week. The two senior GIS officials were removed from office without notice, following a recent statement by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. The Minister asserted that the GIS had been complicit in perpetuating illegal gold mining operations and publicly demanded that the GIS Director take corrective action.

The GIS is, therefore, currently under considerable political and public pressure to take a firm stance on immigration compliance, particularly regarding adjudications, border review of visitors and in-country compliance audits. There may also be more restrictive interpretations of immigration regulations and policy as new officials take over the GIS roles made vacant by this week’s dismissals.

Fragomen is closely monitoring immigration processing in Ghana and will provide updates as they become available.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen Global or send an email to [email protected].