e-Immigration (GH0011)

During the 2013 - 2014 Action Plan period, the Ghana Government will continue, with increased vigour, the policy of achieving economic growth and development through the development and deployment and application of ICT. The modernization of the civil and public services through the application of ICT will be accelerated to enhance service delivery, efficiency and effectiveness. The goal is to complete, within the Action Plan period, the implementation of three major ICT-based projects: e-immigration, GIFMIS and Ghana Open Data Initiative (GODI).
The purpose of the introduction of the e-immigration system for visitors is to manage the growth of visitor members in a cost effective way through the use of cutting edge technology and to deliver service consistent with expectations of travelers. The introduction of an e-immigration system will help regulate entry into and exit of the country by foreigners and check fake identities. The automation will affect two seaports and four border entries, including Aflao and Elubo, and will contribute to promoting and improving intelligence sharing within the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).

Ghana further commits to the application of ICT for enhanced service delivery through the full implementation, by the end of 2014, of the Ghana Open Data Initiative (GODI) by the National Information and Technology Agency (NITA). In 2011, Ghana joined the global Open Data Initiative (ODA). The objective of the initiative includes promoting transparency in government transactions and creating business opportunity for re–use of open government data. The initiative involves a bold and innovative approach to governance and how public services should adapt their procedure to meet the demands and necessities of citizens.
GODI will facilitate data collection and dissemination by Ministries, Departments and Agencies and trigger innovation and development through the use of the data so disseminated. The Government, through the Ministry of Communications, will support NITA to open two portals, one immediately, by 2013, and the other, long- term, by 2014, to facilitate the collection and dissemination of data to serve citizens. actions:
• Institute twice yearly support and solidarity meetings with Ghana Immigration Service and Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to track prospects, progress and problems faced in rolling out GIFMIS and E-immigration
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• Call two meetings of Ministry of Communications, NITA and relevant CSOs to assess resource requirement of NITA in rolling out one portal, by end 2014
• Support NITA to roll out the portal to be used for policy making and community participation.
• Collaborate with Ministry of Communications, NITA and relevant CSOs to evaluate benefits to users of the portals established