Ghana Immigration Service Mourns as Fallen Officer is Laid to Rest

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has buried Assistant Immigration Control Officer Class One (AICO I) Cosmos Dakurah, who was fatally attacked in the line of duty while safeguarding Ghana’s borders.

Officer Dakurah was laid to rest on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Badigriyiri-Konzokala in the Jirapa Municipality of the Upper West Region, his hometown. The solemn funeral service honored his bravery and ultimate sacrifice.

The young officer’s life was tragically cut short on November 2, 2025, at Pulimakom in the Upper East Region, when he and a colleague were ambushed by unknown assailants during a routine border protection operation in the Tempani District. The attack has once again highlighted the dangerous realities faced by security personnel stationed at Ghana’s frontiers.

During the reading of tributes, GIS leadership described Officer Dakurah as a martyr and a symbol of courage, whose heroism will continue to inspire future generations within the Service.

The funeral rites were marked by military-style honors, including a 21-gun salute and the laying of three wreaths on behalf of:

• The Comptroller-General of Immigration
• Upper West Regional Commander and staff
• The Ghana Immigration Service

The Deputy Upper West Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCOl) Justice Bosomtwi-Ayensu, represented the Comptroller-General at the ceremony. He was joined by senior officers, including:

• Upper East Regional Commander, DCOI Lawrence Agyemang Bosompem, and
• DCOI Francis Banning, among other dignitaries.

In his remarks, GIS management reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to supporting the families of fallen officers and ensuring that their service to the nation is recognized and remembered.

The Service also extended heartfelt condolences to Officer Dakurah’s family and prayed for strength and comfort in their time of grief.

Injured Officer Recovering, Investigations Underway

In a related development, AICO I Philip Lartey, who survived the same ambush, is continuing treatment for injuries sustained during the attack. He was first attended to at the Basonde Clinic before being referred to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital.

Medical authorities confirm that Officer Lartey is now out of danger, responding well to treatment, and expected to recover.

Meanwhile, the GIS and the Ghana Police Service say investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible for the deadly attack, assuring the public that efforts are being intensified to bring the perpetrators to justice.

A Nation Remembers a Hero

The passing of Officer Cosmos Dakurah is a painful loss for the GIS and the entire country. His memory stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made by security officers who risk—and sometimes lose—their lives to protect Ghana’s territorial integrity.

His legacy of dedication, bravery, and patriotism will forever remain a guiding light for the GIS and the nation.