The growing complaints from residents and travelers in the Volta Region about the conduct of some Immigration officers stationed at bus stops and checkpoints are deeply disturbing and must be urgently addressed. Many citizens feel humiliated, intimidated, and treated with suspicion during routine checks, raising serious concerns about respect for human dignity and professional conduct in public service.
Of particular concern are reports and public frustrations regarding language barriers being used as a basis for unfair treatment. Ghana is a multilingual country, and no citizen should be made to feel “less Ghanaian” simply because they cannot respond in Twi or English fluently. The Volta Region is predominantly Ewe-speaking, and communication gaps should never be turned into tools of suspicion, discrimination, or harassment.
There are also persistent allegations from members of the public that some interactions at checkpoints—especially in areas such as Aflao, Asikuma, Dabala, and Kpetoe—have been accompanied by unprofessional demands or subtle extortion. Whether these claims are widespread or isolated, they seriously damage trust in national security institutions and must be independently investigated and addressed without delay.
Furthermore, it is unacceptable for any officer to equate language inability with lack of citizenship. Such attitudes, whether intentional or not, create division and erode national unity. The deployment of officers should prioritize not only security competence but also cultural sensitivity and effective communication with the communities they serve.
I therefore strongly call on the Volta Regional Minister Hon. James Gunu together with traditional leaders and civil society groups, to urgently engage the Ghana Immigration Service leadership. The dignity of the people must not compromised.
Elorm Beenie.
