By Daniel Akwasi Nuako
Sefwi Wiawso (W/N), Oct. 28, GNA – The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has engaged stakeholders in the Western North Region as part of consultations towards the review of Ghana’s 2020 National Security Strategy (NSS).
The engagement, held at Sefwi Wiawso, sought to solicit practical views and evidence-based inputs on security threats, risks and challenges peculiar to the region, particularly those relating to border security, to inform a responsive and inclusive strategy.
The NSCS noted that national security strategies were not static documents and required periodic reviews to remain relevant to evolving domestic, regional and global security environments.
Ghana launched its maiden National Security Strategy in 2020 to provide a coherent framework for addressing security threats to the state and its citizens.
The current review is both a policy necessity and a statutory requirement under the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2026 (Act 1168), which repealed the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030), and reduced the review period to one year.
Addressing participants, Dr Bako Mohammed, Technical/Intelligence Aide to the National Security Coordinator, said the engagement was intended to gather regional perspectives on security threats, risks, vulnerabilities and emerging concerns.
He said the consultation would provide an opportunity to obtain substantive inputs to guide the preparation of a revised and forward-looking strategy.
Dr Mohammed noted that several domestic security challenges had intensified since the introduction of the previous strategy.
He cited illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, as a major concern, explaining that its effects extended beyond environmental degradation and economic losses to include conflict, weakened state authority in affected communities and links to organised criminal networks.
He further identified violent extremism, terrorism, transnational organised crime, illicit arms trafficking, narcotics-related activities, communal conflicts, cybercrime, misinformation, disinformation and climate-related security challenges as emerging threats requiring sustained attention.
Dr Mohammed encouraged participants to prioritise early warning systems and preventive interventions, stressing that the timely identification and reporting of potential threats could prevent local disputes from escalating into major crises.
He expressed optimism that contributions from stakeholders across the country would help produce a strategy capable of responding effectively to existing and emerging security threats.
Mr Abdul-Razak Monyun, Deputy Planning Officer, who represented the Western North Regional Minister, Mr Wilbert Petty Brentum, welcomed participants and commended the NSCS for the engagement.
He said the meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to deliberate on key threats and security concerns confronting residents and to offer regional perspectives towards a revised national security strategy.
Mr Monyun noted that the Western North region had unique geographical, socio-economic and security circumstances that required careful consideration in the formulation of national security policies.
He urged participants to ensure that their contributions reflected the realities and security needs of their communities.
Mr Monyun also called on stakeholders to translate discussions into action through effective coordination and accountability, adding that the success of the strategy should be measured not only by the absence of conflict but also by public confidence and community safety.
The engagement brought together representatives of security agencies, traditional authorities, local government institutions, the clergy, the media and other stakeholders.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Daniel Akwasi Nuako