By Eric Appah Marfo
Accra, Jan. 16, GNA – Mr. Adib Saani, Executive Director of the Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building, expressed confidence in the competence of President John Mahama’s newly appointed national security officials to effectively carry out their duties.
In an interview on Thursday, Mr. Saani described the appointments as strategic, highlighting the impressive calibre and credentials of the individuals chosen for the national security roles.
“Considering the calibre and credentials of those individuals that he has appointed, I have no doubt that they will help the President achieve his goals in the security sector,” he said.
President John Dramani Mahama made several key national security appointments on Wednesday, reaffirming his commitment to strengthening national security and ensuring citizen safety.
The appointees include Mr. Prosper Douglas Bani as the National Security Advisor; Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Abdul-Osman Razak as the National Security Coordinator; Commissioner of Police (COP) Nathan Kofi Boakye (Rtd) as Director of Operations at the Presidency; and Mr. Charles Kipo as Director-General of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).
Mr. Saani, a security analyst, specifically praised Mr. Bani for his extensive experience, both locally and internationally.
“He has served as Chief of Staff, Interior Minister, and has had stints abroad. His vast experience makes him the best fit for the role,” he noted.
Regarding the appointment of Mr. Charles Kipo, the security expert emphasized that his background as an experienced intelligence officer made him well-suited for the role of Director-General of the National Intelligence Bureau.
“Although not widely known, Mr. Kipo is a technocrat who has been with the intelligence outfit for years. He understands the ins and outs of intelligence work and is well cut for the job,” he said.
Mr. Saani also praised DCOP Abdul-Osman Razak, describing him as an expert in security.
“He has served as an ADC to a former President, lectured at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, and has a wealth of experience coordinating various security activities. His background makes him well-suited for this role.”
Mr. Saani also described COP Nathan Kofi Boakye (Rtd.) as a seasoned professional with significant expertise in operational strategy.
He noted that the role required coordinating security arrangements, gathering intelligence, and addressing threats, all of which aligned with Mr. Boakye’s extensive background.
Mr. Saani stressed the critical need for collaboration between security agencies to ensure effective service delivery and enhance overall security.
“The lack of collaboration in some cases has caused clashes between agencies. Strong cooperation will foster a conducive environment for security agencies to work more effectively,” he observed.
Mr. Saani urged the appointees to prioritise confidence-building measures with the public, noting that civilian trust was crucial for intelligence gathering and overall security management.
“Most intelligence comes from civilian sources. Building trust is critical to getting the public to play their role in the security process,” he noted.
He expressed optimism that with the necessary support, the appointees would address pressing security challenges, including the ongoing Bawku conflict and unresolved land disputes.
GNA