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By Wilhelmina Oddoye
His Excellency Nana Akufo Addo has stated that his government has expanded the security services to create a safe country for its citizens.
“Mr Speaker, I am glad to be able to report that the entire territory that
makes up our nation is safe, secure and under the control of the
government and people of Ghana.
This might sound like a pedestrian statement with which to start a
Message on the State of the Nation. Unfortunately, far from it being an
everyday truism, this is no longer a statement or claim that can be easily
made in these times in the neighbourhood in which we are. West Africa
is under threat of terrorism and violent extremism, rapidly spreading
southwards from the Sahel to coastal West Africa.
We can no longer take the territorial integrity of our countries for granted.
Indeed, many of our neighbours have already fallen victim, and lost large
portions of their territories to extremist groups, and Ghana, by the grace
of the Almighty, is the only coastal state along the Gulf of Guinea that has
so far not recorded a terrorist attack.”
He added that the police service has been equipped with various resources to aid their responsibility of making Ghana a safer environment for all.
“For the majority of us and our everyday activities, it is the security of our
streets and homes and communities that concern us most. We want our
children and grandchildren to grow up in a safe atmosphere, and the
Ghana Police Service play the lead role in this. Again, Government has
performed most creditably. They are much better equipped than they
have ever been, and their increased visibility on the streets goes a long
way to reassure the community. The changing image of the Police is,
perhaps, best exemplified by the dramatic facelift they have given to the
frontage of the Police Headquarters on the Ring Road in Accra. It is
beautiful, and I recommend it to all institutions and, indeed, households.”
Concerning the Bawku incident, the president stated that the National Security in collaboration with other security agencies has established a task force to maintain peace and order in the community.
“In the bid to find a lasting solution to the conflict, Government has, in the
past year, undertaken a number of measures, including the establishment
of a special Bawku Taskforce, and the intensification of engagements with
the factions for the resolution of the chieftaincy dispute. On the
recommendation of the Upper East Regional and National Security
Councils, four (4) radio stations, that have been broadcasting incendiary
language and propagating hate speech, have been shut down by the
National Communications Authority.”
He then assured Ghanaians of his determination and commitment to maintaining peace and security in the country.
