By: Enock Ankomah
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has intensified efforts to operationalize its Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) Policy through a nationwide capacity-building programme aimed at protecting both officers and the public.
Speaking during a trainer-of-trainers workshop in Accra, Chief Superintendent and Head of the Gender Mainstreaming Section, Evelyn Danquah said the initiative implemented in collaboration with UNFPA brings together representatives from all 19 operational regions to ensure widespread sensitization across the country.
She explained that the policy, developed a year ago, is designed to provide special support for survivors, ensure perpetrators face sanctions, and create safe reporting systems for officers and external stakeholders. She noted that awareness creation is essential before full enforcement begins, reaffirming GIS’s firm zero-tolerance stance on all forms of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Chief Supt. Danquah added that the Service is also deepening engagement with communities and partner institutions to promote accountability and enhance public trust.
Adding his perspective, a co-consultant involved in developing the GIS GBV/SEAH manual, Saddick Adu-Twum commended the initiative as a bold step toward strengthening safety and institutional systems within the immigration framework. Drawing on his experience with the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he highlighted the global prevalence of sexual exploitation and harassment, especially in conflict-prone and vulnerable communities, including parts of northern Ghana.
He noted that although comprehensive data is still being compiled, practical evidence points to concerning levels of abuse, underscoring the urgency of reinforcing protections. Saddick emphasized that the GIS policy is aligned with national frameworks such as GANAP I and II, and urged state institutions to deepen their understanding of gender-based violence and expand protections for women and other at-risk groups.
