Accra: The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has engaged stakeholders in the Volta Region, located in Ho, as part of efforts to review Ghana's 2020 National Security Strategy. This initiative aims to assess the country's evolving security environment and obtain regional perspectives to inform the revised strategy, according to Dr. Bako Mohammed, Technical and Intelligence Aide to the National Security Coordinator.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Mohammed emphasized that national security is no longer an exclusive concern of security and intelligence agencies. Instead, it involves creating conditions that enable citizens to live peacefully while ensuring the thriving of schools, markets, and communities. He noted significant changes in Ghana's security environment since the 2020 strategy was developed, including the growing threat of violent extremism, transnational organized crime, arms and drug trafficking, communal disputes, cyber threats, and misinformation through social media.
Dr. Mohammed highlighted the importance of grounding strategic responses in the realities of communities across the country, as the security challenges faced by different regions vary. He urged stakeholders to identify threats and vulnerabilities specific to the Volta Region, assess the draft strategy's comprehensiveness, and evaluate the practicality of proposed responses.
The engagement brought together a wide array of stakeholders, including representatives from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), youth associations, the Market Women Association, Social Welfare Department, National Youth Authority (NYA), disability groups, and traditional authorities. Heads and representatives from the Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division), and Ghana Immigration Service were also present to enrich discussions on the region's security needs.
Togbega Kpangbatriku IV, Paramount Chief of the Dodome Traditional Council, expressed to the Ghana News Agency the importance of including traditional authorities in the review process. As custodians of the land, chiefs possess a deeper understanding of local security concerns, including border-related issues and their relationship with communities.
Dr. Mohammed explained that the broad participation reflects the NSCS's commitment to a whole-of-society approach to national security, involving various sectors such as security institutions, traditional authorities, local government, civil society organizations, women's groups, youth associations, religious bodies, academic institutions, the private sector, and individual citizens. He stated that the Regional Stakeholder Engagements are a key component of the comprehensive review across all 16 regions, contributing to a revised and forward-looking National Security Strategy.
Background information from the NSCS indicates that national security strategies require periodic review to remain responsive to changing security environments. Ghana's first National Security Strategy, launched in 2020, aimed to provide a coherent framework for addressing security threats. 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 2020 Act and shortened the review period.
Volta Regional Minister Mr. James Gunu, in a speech read on his behalf, welcomed participants and emphasized the region's critical role in contributing to Ghana's peace, security, and stability. He highlighted the shared national responsibility of security and urged stakeholders to be candid about existing vulnerabilities, including border security, land disputes, youth unemployment, and environmental insecurity.
Mr. Gunu stressed that communities serve as the first line of defense, and the presence of stakeholders signifies partnership in this mission. He encouraged open and honest engagement to ensure the revised National Security Strategy reflects the needs and security realities of citizens across the country, bridging the gap between policy and real-world security challenges.