Dr. Noah Ahomka Yeboah, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCOI) and Regional Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at Kotoka International Airport (KIA), has called on officers to prioritise good health, professionalism and positive human relations in projecting Ghana’s image to the world.
He said officers at the KIA Regional Command bore enormous responsibility as frontline personnel who interacted daily with people from diverse cultural, social and religious backgrounds.
Dr. Yeboah was delivering a welcome address at an aerobics and sports programme organised by the Ghana Immigration Service in collaboration with the management of Kotoka International Airport on the theme: “Keep Fit, Stay Healthy.”
The event was held at the University of Ghana’s Sarbah Field as part of activities to usher in the 2026 working year.
Dr. Yeboah expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for a successful gathering and thanked the Ghana Immigration Service, sponsors, officers and all stakeholders who made this year’s programme a successful one.
He said, “You can get everything right, but without good health, it amounts to nothing,” stressing the need for officers to embrace physical exercise as part of their lifestyle.
He commended fellow officers for their participation, noting that “all work and no play makes one dull,” and said such recreational activities were essential for mental and physical well-being.
Dr. Yeboah reminded officers that expectations at KIA were exceptionally high, as they were required to deliver beyond routine duties.
He said, “You interact with people from all walks of life, from local to international travellers, each with their own cultures, beliefs and understanding.”
“As frontline officers, you are obliged to appreciate these differences and make Ghana a comfortable place for them to enter.”
He emphasised that officers’ interaction with travellers, whether first-time visitors or frequent travellers, played a critical role in shaping perceptions of Ghana.
Saying, “if your performance at the entry point is poor, you paint a picture of Ghana as a horrible place” urging officers to remain professional at all times by dressing smartly, speaking politely and handling sensitive cultural issues with tact.
Dr. Yeboah noted that in some cultures, certain questions might cause agitation, especially when asked by women and called on officers to understand such dynamics and respond appropriately.
He said, “KIA is important not only to the Ghana Immigration Service but to the entire country.”
“Everyone who enters Ghana must be received and treated with humanity.”
The programme featured aerobics and several sporting activities, including football, ludo, scrabble, oware, sack race, table tennis, lime-and-spoon race, musical chair,s etc.
In a remark, the Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Mr. Samuel Basintale Amadu, thanked the sponsors and organisers for supporting the initiative, describing the exercise as beneficial to the Service.
He said the institution had opened its doors to such activities because they promoted unity, improved well-being and created an avenue for officers to express themselves.
Sponsors of the events included Twellium Ghana, Kingdom Limited, Escort Security Services, Kane-em Industries Ltd, Ciatec Group, Aiteo Global Group, Special Ice, and Centrosti Bel-Aqua.
As the Service begins the 2026-year, Dr. Yeboah said the programme was meant to send a message to the world that officers at KIA were “fit and ready for the task ahead.”
Winners in the various competitions received awards, with the Senior Service team defeating the Junior Service team to win gold in the football event.
