To prevent and combat violent extremism, terrorism, and organised crime in Ghana, the European Union (EU) has launched the third phase of a security programme dubbed: “Preventing Electoral Violence and Providing Security to the Northern Border Regions of Ghana (NORPREVSEC)”.
The project seeks to strengthen security and resilience in the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Savannah, and the North East regions.
Over the next 27 months, the project will focus on reducing the risk of political violence, building the capacity of police officers in intelligence gathering, peace building, and taking steps to prevent radicalization and violent extremism.
This would be established in three areas of action: decreasing the likelihood of political violence, promoting peace and early warning systems, and bolstering the Ghana Police Service’s intelligence, counterterrorism, and violent extremism prevention capabilities.
The EU Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Irchad Razaaly who spoke during the launch in Tamale, said empowering civil society and local NGOs through their involvement in NORPREVSEC would help tackle violent extremism and radicalization, especially among the youth.
Despite the fact that no terrorist attacks had been reported in the country, recent changes in regional and global dynamics have exposed it to new security risks.
This has necessitated the programme, under which national and international experts would cooperate to minimize the terrorist threats in the five regions of the north, build resilience and secure peace, he said.
The launch was attended by the relevant security agencies, representatives of civil society organisations, local government authorities, community stakeholders, and international actors such as Interpol, Europol, and Frontex.
It will be funded by the EU and implemented in parallel by three actors to combat terrorism from every conceivable angle.
These actors include the National Commission for Civic Education, leading the process of public awareness, COGINTA, a Swiss non-governmental organisation supporting government and non-governmental actors to resolve conflicts and reduce violence, and the Foundation for Public Policies and Administration, a Spanish cooperation entity.
Also speaking at the Launch, Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Jose Javier Gutierrez also stated that “NORPREVSEC will contribute to peace and stability in the northern regions of Ghana and prevent violent extremism and terrorism.”
“This a threat of growing concern, particularly because of the spill-over from the Sahel. Spain is committed to fighting against this scourge in Ghana, in the region and globally.”
The Northern Regional Minister Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu lauded the programme, saying it had come at the right time when national efforts at maintaining security needed to be strengthened.
The Ministry for National Security
launched a citizens’ awareness campaign “See something, say something” aimed at protecting the country against terrorist attacks on May 25 2022.
The campaign is part of efforts to help deal with the terrorist threat in the West African sub-region.
This means any person who notices anything unusual about the security situation should inform the various agencies by dialling 999 or using any of the security agencies’ phone numbers or social media handles.
Security agencies have announced that those who do not want to be identified for fear of being labelled as snitches can file complaints anonymously.
You can also report to assembly members, District Chief Executives, chiefs, opinion leaders, presiding members, and community leaders.
Source:The Independent Ghana |