Sierra Leone’s Chief Immigration Officer (CIO), Alusine Kanneh has officially launched the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS), calling on immigration staff to utilise the system by capturing all travellers entering and exiting Sierra Leone to Guinea.

The move is a step towards proper border management and with the support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

MIDAS is a digital system that captures travellers’ biographic and biometric data, which facilitates evidence-based decision making on migration.

In November 2023, the IOM installed MIDAS at the Gbalamuya border crossing point to collect detailed information on all travellers entering and exiting Sierra Leone.

The CIO said the MIDAS project is one thing he has been looking forward to, adding that they now have a system that takes information analysis of travellers using the Gbalamuya border crossing point.

He emphasised that it was important that they have this system in place, noting it will protect the country and the national security.

The new system will protect Sierra Leone and its national security and the country will now provide sensitive information about people who travel through the Sierra Leone-Guinea border to government agencies.

In a similar development, the CIO has made his first familiarisation tour at Freetown International Airport since his appointment in August 2023.

He admonished staff to be professional in performing their responsibilities to travellers in administering their day to day activities at the airport.

He assessed the numerous challenges faced by the staff and also reminded them about the complaints received from travellers who go through the screening process from immigration staff and thereby putting unprofessional conduct whilst performing their duties.