Accra - In March 2024, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ghana supported a workshop aimed at improving the analytical skills of investigative and intelligence security agencies in Ghana.

The workshop fostered a common understanding of basic intelligence tradecraft while facilitating discussions on statutory mandates governing data collection and analysis among representatives from various state security and intelligence institutions. Participants included the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Narcotics Control Commission, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, INTERPOL, the intelligence unit of the Ghana Police Service, as well as ministries and the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Doreen Panyin Annan, Acting Chief Director at the Ministry of the Interior, emphasized the necessity for intelligence-led security operations within Ghana's legal frameworks. She said: “The availability of accurate and timely information to drive informed decision-making and policy formulation is paramount to achieving internal security and protecting fundamental human rights. To balance the rights of citizens, and work within Ghana’s legal frameworks security operations, from immigration through narcotics, and small arms customs to police, must be intelligence-led”. She further stated that the Government of Ghana's recognition of the value of entry and exit data and operational sources, including the West African Police Information System (WAPIS), is a vital resource for intelligence-led operations and decision-making.

In its progressive efforts to bolster data management capabilities, the Ghanaian government has increasingly adopted Border Management Information Systems (BMIS), such as the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) developed by IOM. These systems enable the collection and analysis of biometric and biographic data, enhancing intelligence gathering and border operations to combat transnational organized crime.

Through digitalization initiatives and capacity building, the GIS has improved its ability to receive, analyze, and share data from border operations, further strengthening collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. IOM's support has been instrumental in enhancing the capacity of GIS to utilize entry and exit data for intelligence analysis, investigations, and operations.

Nnamdi Iwuora, Senior Programme Manager at IOM Ghana, underscored the pivotal role of digital border operations. He said: "Since 2021, IOM has been working with the Government of Ghana to make border operations more digital at land border crossing points. This has helped GIS to collect, analyse and improve decision-making based on digital entry and exit data. The ability to analyse data, including entry and exit data, to understand patterns, create rules-based targeting and enhance profiling is crucial for improving security and protecting the rights of people."

The analytical workshop was part of the "Promoting cross-border cooperation for crisis prevention and strengthening state structures in West Africa in order to establish or ensure stability in fragile border regions" project, supported through funding from the German Federal Foreign Office.

For more information, please contact Nnamdi Iwuora, Senior Programme Manager at IOM Ghana, Tel: +233 302 742 930 Ext. 2401, or niwuora@iom.int.