Accra: The Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building has welcomed the decision by President John Dramani Mahama to carry out a shakeup of the National Security Council Secretariat.
According to Ghana News Agency, a statement issued by Mr. Adib Saani, the Executive Director of Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building, indicated that the Centre had noted the reorganisation of the National Security Council Secretariat. This includes the appointment of Major General William Ayamdo (rtd) as Deputy National Security Coordinator responsible for Operations, along with other key departmental appointments.
The statement conveyed congratulations to the appointees and extended best wishes for their respective assignments. It emphasized that the restructuring presents an important opportunity to enhance intelligence coordination, operational effectiveness, accountability, and the preventive orientation of Ghana's national security framework.
The Centre underscored that an urgent priority for the new leadership is addressing the growing threat of violent extremism and potential terrorist spillover from the Sahel into Ghana. Developments in Burkina Faso and the broader Sahel region necessitate sustained intelligence gathering, stronger border surveillance, regional intelligence cooperation, and increased investment in resilient communities in northern Ghana.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted the significance of addressing chieftaincy, land, and communal disputes, which pose substantial internal security risks. Ghana faces numerous unresolved disputes, some of which are classified as high-risk conflicts with the potential to destabilize communities.
The statement also urged the new leadership to focus on organized crime, illicit financial flows, money laundering, illegal gold trading, and cross-border criminal networks. These activities, while primarily economic, have critical implications for national security as their proceeds can sustain corruption and organized criminal groups.
Finally, the statement emphasized that the success of the reorganisation at the National Security Council Secretariat should be measured not only by personnel changes but by improvements in threat anticipation, disruption of organized criminal networks, enhancement of intelligence coordination, and protection of citizens while upholding the rule of law and human rights.
The Jatikay Centre expressed its commitment to contributing research, expertise, and civil-society perspectives to strengthen Ghana's human and national security.