GIS Organizes Legal Workshop in Accra
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has commenced a three-day workshop for its legal officers, aimed at enhancing their capacity in Public Contract Management.
The training, organized by the Legal, Research, and Monitoring Directorate, seeks to empower GIS legal professionals with the requisite skills to ensure legal compliance, improve contract quality, and strengthen internal decision-making across the service.
The workshop, which commenced on Wednesday, September 24, will conclude on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the Ghana Immigration Service Centre of Excellence (GISCE).
The training has brought together legal officers from all 19 administrative regions of GIS under the theme “Enhancing Expertise in Public Contract Management.” The training will feature topics including Contract Management: Expectations of the Ministry, Legal and Financial Compliance in Public Sector Contracts, Contract Drafting and Negotiation Techniques among others.
Philip Peter Andoh, Acting Comptroller-General in charge of Legal, Research and Monitoring, highlighted the importance of building internal legal capacity to support sound institutional decision-making in his address.
Participants will gain insight into best practices for managing public contracts, while GIS will continue to consult the Office of the Attorney General for review and advice where necessary.
He stressed GIS’s growing engagement with various stakeholders, including private contractors, vendors, international partners, and government institutions, all governed by complex legal agreements.
Helen Akpene Awo Ziwu, representing the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, underscored the critical significance of compliance in public contracting, pointing out that Public Sector contracts are subject to a multifaceted legal framework comprising the Public Financial Management Act and the Public Procurement Act.
She emphasized that strict adherence to these frameworks is essential, as any non-compliance, however minor, can lead to severe consequences, including contract nullification, financial penalties, and damage to reputation.
The Comptroller-General of GIS, Samuel Amadu Basintale, commended the initiative and reiterated the agency’s commitment to upholding legal integrity in its operations.
He explained that this commitment will facilitate the service’s development of legal capacity, prevent future litigation, reduce costs, and enhance operational efficiency, while ensuring staff readiness for capacity-building training programs across various units.
Mrs. Doreen Annan, Chief Director at the Ministry of the Interior, praised GIS leadership for the initiative, describing it as timely and strategic.
“In today’s governance landscape, public institutions engage in increasingly complex legal agreements and procurement processes, necessitating that our legal professionals remain current with global best practices in contract negotiation and management. I commend GIS for taking this proactive step,” she added.
