The training forms part of a national counter-terrorism strategy to tackle head-on any threat of terrorism in the country.

It is part of steps being taken by the GIS to sharpen its preparedness to combat terrorism or a potential threat of it.

Addressing a gathering in Accra last Friday to send off the 60 officers for the training, the Head of Border Management at the GIS, Commissioner of Immigration (COI) Mr Isaac Owusu Mensah, said with the rise in terrorism and terrorist-related activities in neighbouring countries, it was appropriate that the service — the first line of defence at the frontiers — prepared itself to prevent any possible threat of terrorism. 

Read also

“In the wake of all the security issues occurring in our neighbouring countries, this is a preemptive move to make sure any attempt of terrorism will be quickly responded to and nipped in the bud to maintain law and order in the country,” he said.

He indicated that after the training, the officers would form the nucleus of a new unit at the National Headquarters in Accra to be called Rapid Response, stressing that it would subsequently be replicated in all regional commands of the service.

National security needs

He further explained that the setting up of the special operational team was in response to national security needs and cited the ongoing ‘Operation Conquest Fist’ in the Upper East and the Upper West regions as an example.

COI Mensah noted that the new unit would be a permanent stand-by team for all such operations.

“This will be replicated in all the 16 regions, starting from the headquarters, which will form the nucleus of the regional rapid response teams,” he said.

The Head of Operations at the GIS, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCOI) Mr Isaac Lourtey, stated that all countries around the globe were whipping up security to prevent and deter terrorism and other organised crime, saying: “It is important for us to follow suit.”

He entreated the officers to take the training seriously, noting that the skills to be acquired would serve as a career booster.

“We hope no casualties will be recorded,” he added.

The officers are expected to undergo advanced specialised training in anti-terrorism, crowd control, weapon handling, among others.