The Ahafo Ano North Municipal’s Capital, Tepa, in the Ashanti Region is due to host the second Immigration Service Training School in the country.
The Training school when completed and operationalized would be the second training command after the Assin Fosu facility; and this would bring to two, the total number of Immigration training schools in the country. Currently, works are ongoing at the site earmarked for the school.
Visiting the site, the Controller General of the Ghana Immigration Service Mr. Kwame Asuah Takyie has expressed satisfaction about the works done so far. Praising the chief and the people of Tepa for offering to host this training school of the Immigration Service, the Controller General said, the gesture was timely and appropriate. Mr Asuah Takyie was also impressed about the support that the Ghana Immigration Service has enjoyed from the community ever since the idea was hatched to host this all-important national facility.
Speaking on behalf of the people, the Omanhene of the Tepa traditional area Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem II, expressed the community’s readiness to host the school. He promised that; the palace is always open for discussions on any issues that bother on the school’s existence in the community. He also stated that the palace is fully behind the GIS operations especially the training school in the town.
Earlier, an advanced team from the Immigration Service headquarters in Accra had toured the Tepa township to assess and familiarized themselves with the geography and the economy of the place. Their first point of contact was at the Tepa market. At the market, they were gratified with the vibrant economic activities there; and had concluded that, it can support the school’s activities. The Municipal Chief Executive for the area honourable Martina Appiah- Nyantekyi also expressed the assembly’s readiness to help and support the training school to succeed. The MCE was particularly happy that her Municipality is hosting the second Immigration Training school in the country.
The Tepa Immigration Training School is situated on the premises of the old Municipal Hospital. It is actually the old hospital that has been converted into a school. Renovation works and erection of some new structures are almost complete; with the contractor of the project estimating the works done so far to be 90% complete. Works have been completed on the dining hall, lecture theater and some of the dormitories. With these works done, the GIS has already stationed some intake at the school. These intakes which happen to be the first batch, are expected to report to the school by March this year.
Currently, the atmosphere here in Tepa is in an expectant mood to welcome the first batch of the school in the town. The conversation around town lately is centred on the coming into being of the immigration school ever since its signposts were erected in the town.
People that the ISD spoke to have high hopes for the school to change the narratives of Tepa. On recruitments, the townsfolk have higher expectations for either themselves or their wards to be recruited into the school. They have also praised the chief and all the people behind this initiative for their farsightedness.
By Ernest Kofi Offen (Information Officer, ISD- Tepa)