Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has expressed concern over the employment of expatriates for jobs that Ghanaians can effectively execute locally.

According to him, the new Ghana Investment Promotion Act tackles such issues and explicitly provides that citizens of Ghana should be given the first option when employment is being considered.

He was speaking at the graduation ceremony of Cadet Intake 7 at the Assin Fosu Training facility of GIS, where 92 cadets, including four officers from the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) of Liberia, passed out.

Vice President Amissah Arthur said the review of the immigration quotas under the new Ghana Investment Promotion Act is to create more employment opportunities for Ghanaians.

“The new Act has far-reaching implications for immigration enforcement as thresholds for investments and immigrant quotas have been reviewed. The Immigration Service will have to ensure that companies do not circumvent but comply with these requirements since such an area has been greatly exploited. The new Act also provides that investors in the retail sector should employ at least 10 Ghanaians.

According to him, the service must also ensure that the provisions of the investment laws were not violated when processing application for work permit.

He commended the young cadets for successfully completing the six month training.

“After today, you become the officers of the GIS and a lot will be expected of you. You will now have to prove your worth and justify the investment the country has made in training you.

Isaac Adi Luortey, Commandant of the Ghana Immigration Service Academy and Training School, in a message, advised the graduates to be mindful of their mandate to secure the country’s borders and uphold the constitution of Ghana and also contribute to national security.

The 96 graduates underwent six-month intensive training in physical exercises, drill, musketry, academic and professional courses designed to equip them with the skills required to pursue a career in the GIS.