President John Dramani Mahama yesterday swore in the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, and announced the appointment of the Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service and the Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service.
During the ceremony at Jubilee House, the President administered the Oath of Office and presented the instrument of office to Baffoe-Bonnie. However, he explained that Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong and Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCI) Samuel Basintali Amadu would serve in acting capacities as Chief Fire Officer and Comptroller-General, respectively, until their appointments received approval from their governing boards. Consequently, they were not sworn in at the event.
The ceremony was attended by Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, senior government officials, officers from the security services, and family members of the newly appointed security heads.
Confidence in Leadership
President Mahama expressed confidence in the new appointees, describing them as seasoned professionals with extensive experience and a track record of excellence.
“Through their years of service, they have demonstrated exceptional commitment, strong discipline, and the ability to navigate complex security and public safety challenges,” he stated.
He further emphasized the crucial role of security institutions in maintaining public safety, upholding justice, and contributing to national development.
“The true strength of any nation is not measured solely by its economy or the efficiency of its institutions but also by the security and safety of its citizens,” he added.
A Shared Mission for Security
The President highlighted the interconnected nature of the three institutions, emphasizing their collective mission to protect lives, ensure justice, and maintain public order.
“Our security agencies are not just enforcers of the law; they are protectors of human dignity, facilitators of justice, and guarantors of our national stability,” he noted.
Addressing Rising Fire Incidents
President Mahama expressed concern over the increasing number of fire incidents across the country, citing 6,436 reported cases last year. He charged the newly appointed Chief Fire Officer with implementing a proactive approach to fire prevention, public education, and emergency response.
“Your leadership must focus on prevention through public education, emergency response readiness, and strict enforcement of fire safety laws. Safety must be effective, and safety laws enforced without compromise,” he stressed.
Prison Reforms and Rehabilitation
Outlining his vision for modernizing the Ghana Prisons Service, the President urged Baffoe-Bonnie to transform prisons into centers of rehabilitation rather than mere confinement.
“True justice is not only about punishing wrongdoing but also about offering a path to redemption,” he said.
As part of this initiative, he announced the upcoming introduction of the Prison Service Parole Regulations, which would soon be laid before Parliament to help rehabilitate inmates and ease overcrowding.
“Rehabilitation programs must be strengthened with expanded education, skills training, and counseling to equip inmates with the tools to rebuild their lives,” he added.
Strengthening Border Security
Turning his attention to immigration, President Mahama tasked the Acting Comptroller-General with enhancing border security, intelligence operations, and surveillance.
“Surveillance at all entry and exit points must be strengthened and modernized to detect and prevent illegal activity,” he stated.
Additionally, he called for accelerated digitalization of visa processing and deeper inter-agency collaboration to combat transnational crimes such as drug trafficking.
Acknowledging Outgoing Leaders
President Mahama expressed his gratitude to the outgoing heads of the three institutions for their years of dedicated service.
“They have led their institutions with commitment and played a vital role in strengthening the systems they oversaw,” he remarked.
He encouraged the newly appointed leaders to uphold professionalism and integrity in their respective roles.
“The task ahead is great, but so is the opportunity to lead with integrity and purpose. Uphold the law, inspire your officers, and work tirelessly to strengthen the institutions you now command. Ghana counts on you,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, he added:
“May your leadership bring progress. May your service bring honor, and may God bless our security services and our beloved nation, Ghana.”
A Commitment to Service
Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie described the appointments as both an honor and a great responsibility.
“We are deeply thankful for the trust and confidence reposed in us by His Excellency the President. This is a remarkable opportunity to serve our nation, and we are committed to working tirelessly to realize the government’s vision for a progressive and humane prison system,” she said.
She highlighted the collective experience of the newly appointed officials, emphasizing their deep understanding of their institutions and the challenges ahead.
“We bring to this role decades of experience, spanning from operational roles at the very bottom of the hierarchy to management positions. We have witnessed the evolution of our services and are fully aware of the efforts invested so far to achieve world-class standards in service delivery,” she concluded.
Credit: Graphic Online.
