News · Richard Boateng Opoku-Ofori

Eastern Region stakeholders engaged on review of National Security Strategy

Stakeholders in the Eastern Region have participated in a consultative engagement as part of the review of Ghana’s 2020 National Security Strategy.

The engagement, organised by the National Security Secretariat in collaboration with the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, sought to gather views and recommendations on emerging security threats and identify appropriate responses to strengthen national security.

Speaking at the engagement, the Technical and Intelligence Aide to the National Security Coordinator, Dr. Bako Mohammed, stressed that national security is the responsibility of every citizen and not only security agencies.

He noted that security creates the environment for businesses to thrive, farmers to work peacefully and children to attend school without fear.

“National security is a shared responsibility. Every citizen has a role to play in ensuring peace and stability in the country,” he said.

Dr. Mohammed further stated that threats such as violent extremism, illicit trafficking, cybercrime, misinformation and climate-related challenges continue to evolve and require strategic responses.

He urged stakeholders to identify security threats and vulnerabilities unique to the Eastern Region and contribute practical recommendations to address them.

“The views and recommendations of stakeholders will help shape a more responsive and effective National Security Strategy,” he added.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei-Awatey, described the engagement as timely, noting that security challenges continue to evolve.

She stressed that security is a shared responsibility and called on stakeholders to actively participate in the review process.

“We must all contribute meaningfully to efforts aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture,” she said.

Madam Awatey further noted that the recent clash involving students of Okuapemman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Secondary School highlights the need to regularly review the country’s security strategy to respond to emerging issues.

She expressed confidence that recommendations from the engagement would contribute to the development of an inclusive and practical National Security Strategy capable of addressing the realities facing communities across the country.

The 2020 National Security Strategy was developed to provide a framework for addressing threats to Ghana’s peace, stability and development. However, changing security dynamics, including cybercrime, violent extremism, illegal mining, misinformation and climate-related challenges, have necessitated a review of the strategy.

The Eastern Regional stakeholder engagement forms part of a nationwide consultation process aimed at gathering inputs for the revised National Security Strategy.