Step up intelligence to deal with possible terror attacks – Bawumia to Army

Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has charged the Ghana Army to step up its intelligence to foil any potential attack on the country.

According to him, timely acquisition of actionable intelligence and collaboration with sister security agencies will well place Ghana in the fight against terrorist attacks.

Earlier this year, the Africa Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies revealed that Ghana was at risk of a terrorist attack. This follows increased terrorist activities in neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire.

However speaking at a Special Parade organized as part of activities marking this year’s Ghana Army Week Celebration, Dr Bawumia assured that government will provide the needed logistics to combat any terrorist attack.

“I can assure you that the Ghana Army will receive its fair share of support being provided by the government to the Ghana Armed Force. Our sub-region is faced with the serious problem of terrorist activity. Our neighbours are presently battling this problem and the threat is gradually moving closer home and we are putting in place measures to deal with these threats.”

“We should, therefore, redouble our intelligence gathering efforts and sharpen our intelligence regimen in order not to be taken by surprise. The government on its part will do all that is necessary to ensure that you get the necessary training and logistics required to carry out your counter-terrorism operation.”

Ghana isn’t immune to terrorist attacks – Nana Addo

President Nana Akufo-Addo recently said Ghana is not immune to terrorist attacks, despite the growing peace and democracy in the country.

In light of the possible occurrence of a terror attack in Ghana, the President said the country is determined to foster religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence between Ghanaians.

and democracy in a region that is plagued by the activities of terrorist and extremist groups, Ghana must know she cannot be immune to terrorist attacks.”

“She is determined however to deepen the religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence that exists between majority Christian and the minority Muslim religious groups in the country. They are hallmarks of our nation which we cherish.”

Four persons were killed in an attack on a Catholic church in northern Burkina Faso late in May.

That was the latest in a string of assaults on Christian places of worship in Ghana’s neighbour to the north.

Burkina Faso has seen more than 230 terror attacks in a little over three years.

There are concerns that the insecurity in Burkina Faso has provided a launching pad for attacks in Ghana.

The terror fears have led the police to even suggest the banning of bags from churches.

Police in the Central Region called on the clergy to consider banning the use of bags in churches to reduce the risk of an attack.

Observers have also urged churches to improve security in churches and worship centres over possible terrorist attacks while security agencies in the country have met the leadership of the Christian community to discuss how to enhance security at the various churches in the wake of the concerns.

The Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery recently assured that Ghana is on high alert for terrorist attacks.

“It is increasingly clear that the greatest threat we have in this sub-region is terrorism although it has not even hit Ghana yet.  Terrorism is, therefore, top security concern of the President of the Republic of Ghana and indeed all of us,” he said.