GPHA Reprimands Staff Involved in Altercation with Immigration Service Officers

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has disciplined its security personnel who were seen in a video involved in a conflict with officers from the Ghana Immigration Service.

This information was shared in a press release dated May 15, 2024, and signed by Abena Serwah Opoku Fosu, the Marketing and Public Affairs Manager.

“GPHA accepts full responsibility for the conduct of our security staff involved, who have since been disciplined,” the release stated.

On Monday, May 13, 2024, an incident occurred aboard the MV MSC DYMPHNA between GPHA security personnel and immigration officers, escalating to the immigration office at the Authority Building at Terminal 3.

The incident was triggered by the immigration officers’ failure to declare a package received from the vessel, violating the Standard Operating Procedures set by the International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code and protocols. The GPHA security officers’ insistence on following security procedures led to the confrontation.

“Despite some media reports sensationalizing the incident, we acknowledge it could have been managed more effectively to avoid escalation. GPHA emphasizes the importance of safety and security for all stakeholders and condemns the behavior exhibited by both parties involved,” the release continued.

GPHA management met with representatives from the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ghana Maritime Authority to address the issue, reaching a mutually agreeable solution that includes periodic education and orientation for all state agencies in line with evolving maritime security procedures and protocols, according to Madam Abena Fosu.