The overarching vision of the national security strategy is to maintain Ghana as an opened, tolerant, socially cohesive, peace-loving, people-centred, secure a united and prosperous constitutional democracy that upholds the rule of law.
President Akufo-Addo launches national security strategy
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Monday, June 7, launched a national security-working document in Accra.
The occasion was also used to open a building for the operations of the National Security Ministry.
The strategy underlines the unique characteristics of the risks and threats confronting the nation in the context of an evolving world.
It also proposes standard and innovative ways to deal with the numerous emerging security challenges in the country.
This development is coming at the background of numerous confrontations between the National Security and the citizenry, including a recent arrest of two Citi FM/TV journalists.
Speaking at the event, the President said, “It is further geared towards strengthening State response to current and future threats, whilst enhancing our prevention, protection and response capabilities.”
He further stated that the strategy aims to establish the country as a land of opportunities with the resolve and capability to protect the citizenry, culture and values.
“The strategy is to spur growth, development and prosperity that inure to the well-being of the public while positioning the country to play an influential role at the regional, continental and global level,” he said.
He said the plan was consistent with the basis for the existence of Ghana’s lasting security architecture, which is to preserve the freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and well-being of the Ghanaian people.
According to the President, “the overarching vision of the national security strategy is to maintain Ghana as an opened, tolerant, socially cohesive, peace-loving, people-centred, secure a united and prosperous constitutional democracy that upholds the rule of law.”
The National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, assured all Ghanaians of the government’s pledge to respect the rule of law and the fundamental human rights and freedoms of persons as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
He, however, cautioned against actions that would undermine the country’s security by all manner of persons.
The minister underscored the need for a safe and secured environment in the country, noting that without such an environment, the government may not be able to pursue development and improve upon the living conditions of the citizenry.
“There must therefore be a balance of issues of national security and the respect of human right,” he encouraged all Ghanaians.
Mr Kan-Dapaah used the occasion to laud President Akufo-Addo for his commitment to the development and the desire to see the implementation of the document.
National security and the Citi FM journalists
Caleb Kudah was subjected to various forms of brutalities while in the custody of the National Security for allegedly filming at the premises of the ministry.
His colleague, Zoe Abu-Baidoo, was also arrested after seven operatives stormed Citi FM/TV premises last month for allegedly receiving videos from Mr Kudah.
Modern Ghana journalists arrested by national security
In June 2019, the same national security operatives also arrested two journalists with www.modernghana.com, an online news portal based in Accra, Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri and Emmanuel Yeboah Britwum.
It emerged that Mr Ajarfor, then a Deputy Editor, was manhandled by the national security operatives after confiscating their laptops and phones.
This was in relation to a publication on their website by allegedly obtaining information about Mr Kan-Dapaah by hacking an email account.
Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence
A team from the National Security SWAT Unit was found to be behind the chaos that tainted the January 3 by-election at the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.
This was established by the Justice Emile Short Commission that President Akufo-Addo tasked to investigate the violence that characterised the by-election.
The men from the unit dressed in black polo shirts and khaki trousers stormed the La Bawaleshie Primary School polling station while voting was underway.
They were alleged to have fired gunshots, slapped Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament (MP) Samuel George, and attacked others during the voting process.