... AGAINST INEFFICIENCY AND INDISCIPLINE

Mr Isaac Osei, Ghana?s High Commissioner in the UK has warned the passport and immigration staff of the Ghana High Commission that the Mission would not countenance traits of indiscipline and inefficiency in the discharge of their duties.

Mr Osei gave the warning at a one-day seminar held for members of staff of the Section in London. The seminar was aimed at re-orientating the staff for better service delivery.

The theme of the seminar was ?The Customer is King?. Resource persons at the seminar included His Excellency Mr Isaac Osei, Ghana?s High Commissioner in the U.K. Mr Yaw Konadu-Yiadom, Minister/Head of Chancery; Mr Martin Quansah, Minister/Political & Economic; Mr Sam Afari, Minister/Passport & Immigration; and Mr. Peter Wiredu, Counsellor/Passport & Immigration.

He assured the public that the old habits of indiscipline, rudeness and insentivity to the needs of customers were gone forever and urged them to report all cases of malfeasance to the Mission for appropriate action.

To the public, Mr Osei said that despite the fact that ?the Customer is King? there was also the overriding need for them to exercise restraint, decorum and courtesy in their dealings with staff of the section.

Mr Konadu-Yiadom urged the staff to be patient and understanding despite extreme pressures which might arise out of the behavioural patterns of few customers.

He said as ambassadors of the country, they should endeavour in such tight circumstances to avoid approach confrontation which might dent the image of the Mission and the country.

Speaking on the topic ? ?Issuing travelling documents, the requirements and use of discretion in emergencies?, Mr Afari said ?a Ghanaian travel document issued to any person remains the property of the Government of Ghana and may be withdrawn in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law?.

He added that ?the law also empowers the Minister of Foreign Affairs in certain circumstances to invalidate, withdraw and cancel a travel certificate/document which had been issued and paid for by the holder?.

Mr Quansah addressed the security concerns in the passport processing mechanism. Defining security as any action aimed at safeguarding the supreme interest of State or the protection of State and its citizens against acts by individuals or groups likely to compromise the integrity of state, Mr Quansah noted that the ?acquisition of Ghana passport by unwarranted persons could pose a security problem and cause embarrassment especially in cases where holders, posing as Ghanaians, indulge in illicit activities like drug peddling and prostitution?.

Mr Quansah called on passport officers to endeavour, in the discharge of their duties, ?to uphold the interest of the country by ensuring that only true and genuine Ghanaian nationals acquire Ghanaian passports?.

The forum provided the opportunity for frank exchange of views on issues affecting the section and the way forward towards furthering and consolidating the achievements of the section since the assumption of office by the High Commissioner.