By Frank Amponsah
The Comptroller General of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Lawyer Kwame Asuah Takyi, has officially requested to proceed on leave ahead of his retirement in July 2025, intercepted information has revealed.
A source at the Ministry of the Interior confirmed that Lawyer Takyi, who attained the statutory retirement age of 60 on July 18, 2022, had his tenure extended by then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The extension, which granted him an additional three years in office, is set to expire on July 18, 2025.
Formal Request for Leave before Retirement
According to the source, the Comptroller General has written formally to President John Mahama, notifying him of his intention to proceed on leave prior to his retirement. Copies of the letter have also been sent to the Minister for the Interior, under whose purview the Immigration Service operates.
While details of his exact departure date remain undisclosed, his request suggests that he may exit the service earlier than the official retirement date. If approved, his leave will pave the way for the government to appoint a new Comptroller General to oversee the GIS.
Legacy and Leadership at GIS
Lawyer Kwame Asuah Takyi, a seasoned immigration lawyer, has led the Ghana Immigration Service through significant reforms and modernization efforts during his tenure. Under his leadership, the GIS has implemented several initiatives, including:
Enhanced border security measures to combat illegal migration and human trafficking.
Digitization of immigration processes to improve service delivery.
Increased recruitment and capacity building for immigration officers.
His impending exit will mark the end of an era for the GIS, creating an opportunity for a new leader to continue his work or introduce fresh policies to enhance border security and migration management in Ghana.
What Happens Next?
With the Comptroller General’s leave request now before the presidency and the Ministry of the Interior, a decision is expected in the coming weeks. If granted, an acting Comptroller General could be appointed in the interim while the government determines a permanent replacement.
The Ghana Immigration Service plays a crucial role in national security and border control, making the selection of a new leader a critical decision for the government. The transition will be closely monitored by stakeholders within the security and migration sectors.
As the nation awaits further details, GIS personnel and the public will be keen to see how the leadership transition unfolds and what it means for the future of Ghana’s immigration policies.
