Accra: Mr Abib Saani, a security expert, has urged the newly appointed Minister of Defence, Mr Gilbert Kenneth Adjei, to deepen Ghana's security cooperation with neighbouring countries to prevent terrorist groups and violent extremist networks from gaining a foothold in the country. He emphasized that Mr Adjei's experience in the security sector and his leadership capabilities position him to provide strategic direction to the Defence Ministry at a critical time when terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational security threats remain a concern within the West African sub-region.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Saani highlighted the need for Ghana to strengthen intelligence-sharing, border surveillance, and joint security operations with neighbouring countries and other regional partners to identify and contain emerging threats before they escalate. He expressed confidence in Mr Adjei's capability to effectively lead the Defence Ministry and contribute to strengthening the country's defence architecture.
Mr Saani cautioned against complacency in national security, particularly given the instability and violent extremism in parts of the West African region. He called for enhanced collaboration between Ghana and its sub-regional partners, especially through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to fortify preventive security measures and improve the country's preparedness against emerging threats.
Furthermore, Mr Saani urged the Government to equip the Ghana Armed Forces with modern equipment, technology, and adequate logistical support to enable effective protection of the country's territorial integrity across land, maritime, and air domains. He stressed that strengthening the operational capacity of the Armed Forces is vital for effective border protection, intelligence-led operations, and rapid response to security threats.
He pointed out that instability, violent extremism, and weak border controls in parts of the sub-region could provide opportunities for terrorist groups to expand their activities and potentially infiltrate neighbouring countries. Mr Saani advised the Defence Minister to prioritize intelligence gathering and sharing, border security, inter-agency coordination, and closer cooperation with security institutions across the sub-region.
He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between Ghana and its sub-regional partners to prevent terrorist groups from establishing a presence in the country. Mr Saani remarked that Ghana's relative peace and stability should not be taken for granted, advocating sustained investment in national security and proactive measures to prevent terrorism and violent extremism.
Mr Saani further noted that recent security developments in parts of Africa highlight the importance of strengthening national preparedness, institutional resilience, and regional cooperation to address evolving security threats. He asserted that Mr Adjei's experience in the security sector could be valuable in addressing Ghana's emerging national security needs but stressed that effective leadership must be complemented by adequate resources, modern technology, and sustained institutional support.
He urged the Government to continue investing in the Ghana Armed Forces to enhance their capacity to protect the country's borders, safeguard national assets, and preserve Ghana's peace and stability. Mr Saani concluded that Mr Adjei's appointment presents an opportunity to further fortify Ghana's defence and security framework while deepening cooperation with regional and international security partners.