The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed -Mubarak, has announced that all financial transactions conducted by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and related agencies will soon be done electronically to prevent loopholes and curb corruption at the country’s borders.
Speaking at a maiden visit to the GIS headquarters on Tuesday, February 25, in Accra, the minister stressed that the initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen border security and improve revenue collection.
He said “all monies collected would be done electronically. No one will receive money from anyone,” he stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability.
He said with the advancement of technology, cash services in the ministry would be limited to electronic, making it easier for government to account for funds to and from the departments and agencies related to the ministry.
Importantly, this move comes as a result of allegations of bribery and illicit cash payments at Ghana’s border posts. Over the years, there have been reports of some immigration and customs officials amassing unexplained wealth, allegedly through illegal fees collected from travelers and businesses.
These under-the-table payments have not only deprived the state of much-needed revenue but also damaged the country’s reputation and compromised border security.
Travelers and cross-border traders have recounted instances where they were asked to pay unreceipted fees to expedite entry or avoid delays.
In recent years, several investigations and media exposés have highlighted corruption across the country.
However, people argued that the cash-based system has created opportunities for abuse, with little oversight on the amounts collected.
The minister believed that transitioning to a fully electronic payment system will eliminate such opportunities, ensuring that all funds go directly into state coffers. “Under the new system, payments for permits, visas, and other immigration services will be processed through secure digital platforms, making it easier to track transactions and reducing the risk of theft or misappropriation”, he added.
However, many assert that the initiative could be sabotaged by beneficiaries of such acts.
The shift toward digital payments aligns with Ghana’s broader push toward a cashless economy, which has already gained momentum in sectors such as banking, retail, and public services.
