Dr. Victor Doke, a security expert and lecturer at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, has warned that the fragile peace process in Bawku risks being derailed if trust between residents and security agencies is not urgently restored.
In an interview on the AM Show on JoyNews, Dr. Doke stressed that effective security operations depend heavily on the confidence of the people they are mandated to protect.
He noted that without a strong relationship between the community and security forces, ongoing efforts to stabilize the troubled region could be severely compromised.
“The absence of trust in security institutions is a dangerous gap that could easily undo the progress made toward peace,” Dr. Doke emphasized.
“Security personnel must demonstrate their commitment to impartial protection and community safety to win back the confidence of the people.”
Dr. Doke further explained that rebuilding trust would require not just the prevention of attacks but also proactive engagement with local leaders and the broader community.
He highlighted that visible fairness, professionalism, and accountability from the security forces are crucial steps toward convincing the population that their safety is a priority.
As tensions in Bawku continue to simmer despite peace initiatives, Dr. Doke urged authorities to invest in confidence-building measures, warning that failure to do so could lead to renewed hostilities and a prolonged conflict.
“The road to lasting peace is through trust. If people feel the security system is biased or unreliable, no peace process will succeed,” he concluded.
Interior Minister-Designate, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has pledged to overhaul the recruitment process for Ghana’s security services, emphasizing the need for fairness and inclusivity.
During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on January 24, Muntaka stressed the importance of revisiting the regional quota system to ensure equal opportunities for all Ghanaians, regardless of their background.
He expressed concern about reports of systemic bias in recruitment, where certain groups are allegedly marginalized, leaving the benefits to a select few. According to the nominee, such practices undermine national cohesion and the credibility of the security agencies.
“I’m going to a ministry that has a lot of professionals who are experts in their fields. You can’t doubt the expertise of the Inspector General of Police, neither will you doubt the Director General of Ghana Prisons and the likes,” he stated.
The nominee assured the Committee that he would collaborate closely with the leadership of the security services to evaluate the effectiveness of the existing process.
“Together with them, we have to review. Over the last 30 years or 40 years, since we started this 4th Republic, how have we done it? Has it served the purpose? If there are lapses, we will look at it and review it in the best interest of the country,” he noted.
Muntaka reiterated his commitment to promoting a transparent and equitable recruitment system, which he believes will reflect the country’s diversity while enhancing public trust in the security services.
President-elect John Mahama has announced a six-member team to oversee the country’s national security on an interim basis until substantive appointments are made.
A statement from Mr. Mahama’s special aide, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed that the team will be chaired by Prosper Douglas Bani, a former Minister for the Interior.
The other members of the team include Lt. General Peter Augustine Blay (Rtd.), former Chief of Defence Staff; Kofi Totobi Quakyi, former Minister for National Security; Larry Gbevlo-Lartey Esq., former National Security Coordinator; Brigadier General Fuseini Iddrissu (Rtd.); and COP Nathaniel Kofi Boakye (Rtd.).
The team is scheduled to begin its duties on Tuesday, 7th January 2025.
Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has expressed approval of the security strategies set for Ghana’s upcoming general elections on December 7, 2024.
In a recent Facebook post, Dr. Omane Boamah shared insights from a meeting between political party representatives and the commanders of the country’s security forces.
He reaffirmed the crucial role of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) at the helm of the National Election Security Task Force, underscoring that the IGP’s leadership is vital for safeguarding the election process.
Dr. Omane Boamah also pointed out that one key outcome of the discussions was the clarification that the IGP will have exclusive authority to determine when and how military forces will be deployed during the election period.
“As was made clear at the meeting, the Inspector General of Police is the sole Commander-in-Chief of the National Elections Security Task Force.
“This being the case, only Police, Immigration, Prisons, Customs, and Fire Service personnel (“without lethal weapons”) will be providing security at the polling stations during the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.
“And should there be the need for any military intervention, it is only the Inspector General of Police, acting as the Commander-in-Chief of the Elections Security Task Force, who can authorize military action,” he stated.
As the December elections approach, there have been numerous objections to the use of military personnel during the voting process.
During Thursday’s meeting, Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, reassured stakeholders of the police and other security agencies’ dedication to ensuring a peaceful election. He also emphasized the importance of their cooperation in carrying out their responsibilities effectively.
The government has deployed security personnel nationwide, particularly to border towns in the northern part of the country, to enforce a newly announced ban on grain exports.
This directive, issued by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, comes in response to the ongoing dry spell affecting agricultural production across several regions.
Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul revealed during a press conference that security agencies have been mobilized to ensure that grains, including maize, rice, and soybeans, are not illegally smuggled into neighboring countries.
This measure aims to prevent potential food shortages within Ghana due to the current harsh climatic conditions.
“We want to assure you, and the nation, that the security agencies are immediately activating their network to ensure that the ban on cereals, which has been listed, is rigidly enforced so that nobody will take even a single grain out,” Nitiwul stated.
The Defense Minister explained that both approved and unapproved routes will be closely monitored by security forces, including military and police units, to prevent any attempts to circumvent the export ban.
The focus will be on the northern, eastern, and southern borders of the country, areas identified as key transit points for potential smuggling activities.
Nitiwul also called on citizens to play an active role in upholding the ban by reporting any suspicious activities related to grain smuggling.
“You are security people. So as long as you see something that has escaped the eagle eye of the security, please let us know,” he urged.
He further stressed the importance of public participation, stating, “We are deploying all across the borders, particularly the northern side, and also to the east and the south. If for some reason there is some unapproved route or approved route, or somebody sees something that is going on that is not right, please let us know so that we can act appropriately. It’s for the good of all of us that we should not make our citizens suffer.”
The government’s swift response is intended to safeguard food security in the face of the ongoing drought, ensuring that local grain supplies are not depleted by exports. The involvement of security agencies underscores the administration’s determination to enforce the ban and prevent any illegal outflow of essential food commodities.
The Ghanaian military has been deployed to the Mion and Kulkpeni communities in the Northern Region to quell rising tensions following the alleged illegal establishment of a new market by the Konkomba people in Kulkpeni.
The military intervention, which began on Saturday, August 17, aims to prevent violence from escalating after weeks of unrest in the region.
The tension initially flared up following a deadly communal clash in Zogbei, located in the Mion District, two weeks ago. The violent confrontation claimed the lives of over seven people, sparking division between the communities in the district.
In the aftermath of the clash, the Konkombas in the Mion District opted to boycott the Mion market and establish their own market in Kulkpeni, a move that further intensified the strained relations between residents of the Mion and Yendi districts.
The establishment of the Kulkpeni market, located near Yendi, was seen as a provocative action by some residents, who threatened to forcibly close the new market.
The Yendi Municipal Security Council had urged the Konkombas to follow the proper legal channels to officially open the market, but efforts to resolve the issue have so far proven unsuccessful.
Fears of possible clashes heightened as today, Friday, August 23, marked a scheduled market day in Kulkpeni. In response to the growing threat of violence, the military presence in the area has been significantly bolstered to ensure peace and prevent any outbreak of unrest.
Interior Minister Henry Quartey has responded to allegations of partisan bias in the recruitment processes of Ghana’s security services.
He stated that the selections are made based on merit and qualifications, rather than party affiliations.
Addressing claims by Minority Leader Ato Forson, who asserted that the recruitment process was influenced by party lines, Quartey stressed that merit is the primary criterion for recruitment.
Forson had accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of allocating 30 recruitment slots to each of its Members of Parliament, raising concerns about potential unfairness in the selection process.
“Over the time that President Akufo-Addo came for us to do recruitment, I can tell you on authority that NDC MPs and NDC party people have all found a way to push their people into the service.
“We did not recruit them for being NDC, they were recruited because they met the eligibility criteria. We recruited them because they are Ghanaians and they are citizens of this country.
“If they go on like this, we will start mentioning names one by one,” he said in an interview on Okay FM on May 21, 2024.
He explained that individuals recommended by both the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were chosen only if they met the required criteria.
“If the minority does not keep mute on their allegations, I will publish the names of all NDC Protocol lists, both the MPs and the security personnel who have benefitted,” Quartey warned.
The Minority has officially challenged the Minister to publish his list.
In a statement dated May 21, 2024, and shared on his social media platforms, Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson described the minister’s stance as alarming and unfounded.
“His insinuation that members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have participated in improper recruitment practices without providing any evidence is a clear attempt to divert attention from the substantive issues at hand,” the statement read in part.
It added that Quartey’s views were “a hollow threat intended to intimidate and silence legitimate criticism from the Minority Caucus,” but that they won’t be cowed.
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, launched their seven-year strategic plan at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.
The 7-year strategic plan is expected to move the Service towards becoming a model organisation for Migration Management and the Security of Ghana.
It would also provide a roadmap for the Ghana Immigration Service to operate an efficient, fair and firm immigration system that meets the social and economic needs of the country.
The plan also provides an effective monitoring and evaluation system which will guide in gauging the performance of the Ghana Immigration Service and the impact of the implementation of the Plan.
At the official launch of the 2023-2029 Strategic Plan for the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in Accra, the Minister for Interior, Ambrose Dery, reiterated the government’s unwavering support and dedication to achieving the plan’s objectives, particularly in enhancing border security management in the country.
The Minister expressed his confidence in the direction set by the GIS’s seven-year Strategic Plan, which is designed to guide the service’s operations. He noted that the Plan comprehensively outlines the strategies that the Service will adopt to fulfill its mandate over the next seven years.
Mr Ambrose Dery emphasized that the 2023-2029 Strategic Plan focuses on four critical components: Border Management, Transnational Crime Prevention, Enforcement, and Organisational Drivers. Each of these components provides a clear roadmap for realizing the transformational goal of making the Ghana Immigration Service a model agency for Migration Management and the security of Ghana.
He pointed out that the 2018-2022 Strategic Plan led to advancements such as infrastructure improvements, capacity building, recruitment, and the development of GIS officers’ capabilities.
The Minister called upon stakeholders involved in the realm of migration management to collaborate and support the implementation of the activities outlined in the Strategic Plan. This collaboration is expected to enhance the management of migration in Ghana and on a global scale.
Present at the function were also the Ga Mantse, HRM King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Henry Quartey, Chief Director of the Ministry for the Interior, Mrs. Adelaide Annor-Kumi, Heads of the various Security Agencies, the Clergy, past Comptroller-Generals and officers of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) as well as officers of the other Security Agencies.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has proposed a collaboration with the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) to secure funding for involving inmates in agricultural activities.
He highlighted the increasing budgetary expenses associated with feeding inmates and suggested that NIRSAL could partner with the ministry to enable inmates to produce their own food.
This proposal was made during a visit by NIRSAL’s management, led by its Managing Director, Abbas Masanawa, to Dr. Tunji-Ojo in Abuja on Thursday.
It partly read, “The Minister, citing the relevance of the organization, said NIRSAL can do a lot of good to Nigeria Correctional Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”
He added that with the rising budgetary cost of the feeding of inmates, he said NIRSAL can partner with the Interior Ministry to secure funds for the engagement of inmates in farming activities to produce their food.”
During the meeting, Masanawa expressed the purpose of their visit, which was to explore potential collaboration with the Ministry in its services.
He further elaborated on NIRSAL’s role as a non-bank financial institution fully owned by the Central Bank of Nigeria. NIRSAL’s mission is to redefine, measure, reprice, and share credit risks associated with agribusiness in Nigeria.
Security Policy Expert at the Centre for Security Dialogue and Peace Advocacy, Anthony Acquaye, has underscored the importance of educating participants and stakeholders in the upcoming #OccupyBoGprotest scheduled for tomorrow to mitigate the risk of violence during the demonstration.
This call comes in the wake of the recent #OccupyJulorBiHouse protest, organized by a group called Democratic Hub on September 21, 2023, which witnessed clashes between protesters and the police, resulting in violence.
The expert’s statement highlights that even peaceful demonstrations have, on several occasions, spiraled into violence, making it crucial to educate protesters to prevent a repeat of such incidents.
These instances have been linked to various factors, including police misconduct, deviations from planned protest routes, abrupt route changes enforced by security forces, and more.
To ensure that a peaceful demonstration remains nonviolent, Mr. Acquaye encourages all stakeholders, including the police, protest organizers, individual demonstrators, and journalists, to collaborate in defining and understanding the nature of the demonstration being conducted.
“As a Security Policy Expert, it is equally crucial to draw the attention of all stakeholders; the Police, organizers of demonstrations, individual protesters and journalists that, if the right type of demonstration is not collaboratively established and agreed by all major stakeholders, a peaceful demonstration can result in a violent demonstration.
“For a demonstration to be peaceful, it is cardinal to establish and understand the type of demonstration and how it is done among all stakeholders for the purpose of effective security operational command and control to ensure law and order,” part of the statement read.
The security policy expert emphasized the significance of informing protesters on the nature of the rally and its path in order to prevent potential violence.
He emphasized that the protest will include a Matching Demonstration as well as a Rally Demonstration, and that protesters will not be permitted to occupy the Bank of Ghana.
“So, in actual sense, if clearly, the statements from the Minority leader and Ghana Police Service all agreed in principle then the title given to tomorrow’s demonstration as ‘Occupy BOG Domo’ does not fit into the matching type of demonstration as have been agreed by both stakeholders but instead the picketing type of demonstration, this can create some kind of misunderstanding among protesters since they will not be allowed by the Police to occupy Bank of Ghana.
“To avoid crop up of violence, proper education must go down to the protesters for them to understand that, they are not going to occupy BOG but rather they will be having a route Match demonstration combined with Rally demonstration in order to prevent rise of anger on Police officers who may be seen as standing block to stop them from occupying BOG,” he stressed.
“Moreover, it is paramount to use this opportunity to advise the Ghana Police Service to be more professional in exercising their powers to ensure command and control to avoid the outbreak of violence, and to the organizers of the demonstration, who must also ensure they caution their members to avoid coming along with any offensive material such as stones, pepper spray catapults etc, that may trigger violence,” the statement added.
The planned demonstration by the minority and some civil social organizations on October 3, 2023, is expected to begin at the Obra Spot, Kwame Nkrumah Circle – Adabraka – Ridge Roundabout – National Theatre Traffic Light – High Court Complex Traffic Light – Atta Mills Highway – U-turn to the Independence Square as the final destination.
The organizers’ goal is to have the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addisson, and his deputies resign from their positions for their responsibilities in driving the country into the current economic crisis.
Founder and current Chairman of CWG Plc, a prominent systems integration company in sub-Saharan Africa, Austin Kwesi Okere, has emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) will emerge as the primary distinguishing factor between successful and struggling financial services providers in the evolving landscape of global finance.
Mr Okere, highlighted AI’s crucial role in areas such as product development, corporate governance, and fraud prevention, which have gained heightened importance in light of recent economic developments. He also noted the potential for malicious actors to exploit AI for their own gain.
“When it comes to trusting banks, it’s all about safety – keeping your money secure from risks, fraud and cyber threats.
“People often lose sleep worrying about whether their funds are safe from unauthorised access or impersonation. But things keep changing, and now artificial intelligence poses a new threat by making it easier to fake identities. So, we’ve got to up our game and use that very same tool to improve security.
“Security in banking is always evolving and our job is to bring in the latest and best practices to protect your money. As the world gets more complicated, these safety measures become even more crucial. CWG leads the way in creating these solutions,” he added.
These remarks were made during the launch of CWG’s 20th-anniversary celebration of its operations in Ghana. They underscore the increasing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) across all sectors of the economy. Projections indicate that the global AI market is set to reach a value of $1.35 trillion by 2030, potentially contributing $15.7 trillion to the global economy in the same year.
Highlighting the relevance of AI, the Bank of Ghana’s fraud report disclosed that banks and specialized deposit-taking institutions (SDIs) incurred losses of approximately GH¢56 million due to fraud in 2022. In contrast, the global financial sector experiences annual losses in the trillions of US dollars due to fraud.
Harriet Attram Yartey, Managing Director at CWG Ghana and Vice-President for its regional operations, also emphasized how technology has created a unique opportunity for local institutions to achieve significant growth.
She noted that in the past, the cost was a major barrier for firms looking to embrace cutting-edge technology. However, CWG’s solutions have made technology more accessible, leading to substantial cost savings through improved efficiency and reduced risks associated with potential digital security breaches.
“We have successfully shifted the perception that technology is prohibitively expensive, and our customers are now expanding their operations while reaping the benefits of these savings,” she elaborated.
The 20th anniversary, with the theme “Positioning Africa to Maximize the Future,” she continued, “serves as a testament to CWG’s lasting contributions to the information, communication, and technology sector over the past two decades.”
“CWG has consistently set the standard for excellence in Africa and has diligently pursued its vision and mission, making a profound impact on Ghana and Africa’s digital ecosystems,” she added.
Many Ghanaians have left in recent months or even years in quest of greener pastures elsewhere.
This was not crucial until the Ghana Health Service began to make noise about how employees were leaving their jobs in search of the same adventure—greener pastures.
You may have heard of the Schengen countries if you have traveled or intend to travel. In this GhanaWeb post, we highlight the process for obtaining a Schengen visa, the nations that qualify, and all the details you require.
What is Schengen Visa?
Schengen represents the EU’s passport-free zone, encompassing 27 European nations. It stands as the world’s largest unrestricted travel area, serving both tourism and business purposes. Possessing a Schengen Visa grants you access to any Schengen Area country for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day timeframe.
This implies that for every 90 days spent within the Schengen Area, an equal duration must be spent outside of it. If you intend to study, work, or reside in one of these countries for more than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a national visa from the specific European country instead of relying on the Schengen visa.
While these countries boast open borders without stringent checks, recent security concerns have prompted a need for more precise border control within the EU. This necessity led to the development of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
ETIAS is a fully electronic system designed to monitor visitors from countries not requiring visas for Schengen Zone entry. The system is scheduled to commence operation in January 2024, with full functionality anticipated by November 2023, aiming to enhance border management and security.
What are the Schengen countries?
There are 27 countries which can issue a Schengen Visa, find below the complete list:
Austria Belgium Czech Republic Croatia Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Liechtenstein
Types of Schengen Visa
You’ll need a Schengen visa if you’re visiting for one of the following reasons:
Business purposes Visiting friends or family Tourism Holidays Cultural or sports events Transit Medical reasons Short-term study Research purposes
Depending on why you’re visiting the Schengen countries, you may be granted a single-entry visa, a double-entry visa, or a multiple-entry visa.
Below is how citizenremote.com explains the types of visas:
Single-Entry Visa
A single-entry visa allows the holder to enter the Schengen Area only once within the given period of time. Once the holder leaves the Schengen Area, they can’t re-enter it using that visa, even if they have not spent the number of days permitted.
Don’t get confused; a single-entry visa does not mean you can only enter one country. You can enter through any country from the Schengen Area and keep moving around the 27 countries.
Double-Entry Visa
The double-entry visa works similarly to the single-entry visa. The difference between them is that, unlike the single-entry visa, the double-entry visa allows you to re-enter the Schengen Area one more time after you have left it.
With this visa, you won’t be allowed to enter a third time when you leave the Schengen Area a second time. So be very mindful of the time you spend in the zone and ensure you don’t exceed the number of days you are permitted to stay.
And again, do not confuse the double-entry visa with the number of countries you’re allowed to visit.
Multiple-Entry Visa
Any holder of a multiple-entry visa can come and go from the Schengen Area as they please, as long as they don’t violate the 90/180 days limit.
This visa is granted depending on how frequently you travel. If you have obtained a double-entry visa more than once and you are a frequent visitor to the Schengen zone, you will most likely be granted a multiple-entry visa.
Depending on how frequently you travel, you may be granted one of these multiple-entry visa types:
1-year multiple-entry visa 3-year multiple-entry visa 5-year multiple-entry visa 1-year Multiple-entry Visa
The 1-year MEV can be obtained if you have obtained and lawfully used three visas within the previous two years. You must show proof of your previous visas when applying for this one.
The 1-year MEV allows you to enter the Schengen zone as often as you want, as long as you do not remain more than 90 days within this period.
3-year Multiple-entry Visa
You can obtain a 3-year MEV if you have used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for one year within the previous two years.
This visa gives you the right to enter the Schengen Area as often as you wish within three years. However, you must not stay for longer than 90 days within a 180-day span.
5-year Multiple-entry Visa
This visa is granted if you have previously obtained and lawfully used a multiple-entry visa valid for at least two years within the previous three years.
Same as the others, the 5-year MEV allows you to enter the Schengen Area as often as you wish within five years, but make sure you do not violate the 90/180 days rule.
Uniform Schengen Visas (USV)
The Uniform Schengen Visa is a permit given by one of the Schengen Area Member Countries that allows you to transit or reside in the desired territory for a certain period of time, up to a maximum of 90 days.
There are two categories of USV, type A and type C.
USV Category “A”
This category stands for “Airport Transit Visa”. This visa allows you to travel through the international zone of the Schengen country Airport without entering the Schengen Area.
Keep in mind that airport transit visas are mandatory for citizens traveling from one non-Schengen state to another non-Schengen state, where they change flights in a Schengen country airport.
USV Category “C”
This category stands for Short-term visa. This visa allows you to reside in the Schengen Area for a certain period of time. Short-term visas can be obtained as single-entry visas, double-entry visas, or multiple-visa entry, which we discussed above.
Limited territorial validity visas (LTV)
An LTV allows you to travel only in the Schengen State that has issued the visa. This means the holder of an LTV cannot enter or transit through any other Schengen country that is not the first and final destination target.
This type of visa is granted only on specific cases, like humanitarian reasons or under international obligation, as an exception to the common USV system.
Schengen Visa Requirements
To qualify for a visa, you must:
Be a national of a non-EU country that requires a visa Have a valid passport Fill up the application form properly Show proof of financial means Show proof of accommodations Round trip reservation or flight itinerary
Schengen Visa Fees
Citizenremote.com explains that the standard Schengen visa fee is €80 ($80).
Children between the ages of six and twelve pay a reduced fee of €40 ($40).
Children under the age of six are entirely exempt from payment.
77 security men allegedly leaving Jubilee House for their various units has been refuted by the President’s Office.
Since the start of the Akufo-Addo administration, no security officers have ever deserted their posts, according to a statement issued by the Director of Communication at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin.
“The Office of the President would like to put on record that at no point in the tenure of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, from 2017 till date have seventy-seven security personnel left Jubilee House to their respective units.
“Indeed, no security officer has left Jubilee House because of “unfair treatment” meted out to them at the seat of the presidency,” Mr. Arhin stated.
On Sunday, the Somali government issued a directive to prohibit the use of TikTok, Telegram, and an online betting website, asserting that these platforms were being exploited by “terrorist” entities for the dissemination of propaganda.
This decision has been made in anticipation of the forthcoming second phase of the military operation against the radical Islamist group Shebab. This group has been engaged in a violent uprising against the central government in Mogadishu for over 15 years.
In an official announcement, the Ministry of Communication and Technology declared that it had instructed internet service providers to terminate access to the aforementioned three platforms by August 24th. Failure to comply would result in legal measures being taken, the specifics of which were not detailed.
As per the ministry’s statement, TikTok, Telegram, and the 1XBET website are utilized by “terrorist” entities and “entities promoting immorality” to distribute graphic images and videos that propagate violence and manipulate public perception.
According to the ministry, banning them will “speed up the war (…) against the terrorists who have spilled the blood of the people of Somalia”.
Starting from August 2022, the Somali military has been actively involved in an offensive operation against the Shebab, a group with affiliations to al-Qaeda. This operation is being conducted in collaboration with local clan militias, and it’s receiving support from African Union forces as well as American airstrikes.
Although Shebab militants were expelled from Mogadishu in 2011, they have entrenched themselves deeply in expansive rural regions. From these areas, they persistently launch attacks targeting both security forces and civilians.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud is committed to eradicating Islamist militias from the nation. It is anticipated that he might imminently unveil the second stage of the military campaign aimed at countering the Shebab in the southern parts of the country.
Kenya’s security minister says the deaths of more than 300 people linked to a doomsday cult in the Shakahola forest is the worst security breach in the country’s history.
Ten more bodies were exhumed from the forest on Tuesday raising the death toll to 360.
Appearing before a Senate committee, the minister, Prof Kithure Kindiki, further said that the suspected cult leader, Paul Mackenzie Nthenge’s activities, were reported from as early as 2020.
“A report was filed at the Langobaya police station. No action was taken. Some of the officers and judicial officers must answer that question,” he said.
It is estimated that at least 339 members of the Good News International Church either starved to death, were brutally beaten, or were strangled in the Shakahola forest in southeast Kenya.
Mr. Mackenzie, the cult leader, allegedly persuaded his members to starve to death so they might see Jesus while preaching that the world was going to end.
Mr. Mackenzie is not currently officially charged.
In the aftermath of several decades, Tanzania has decided to lift the long-standing ban on night-time upcountry bus travel.
The government’s decision took into account input from stakeholders in the transport sector, as well as improvements in infrastructure and security.
During the announcement in parliament, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa stated that the ban had been implemented in the 1990s due to an increase in road accidents and incidents of bus hijackings.
He has now directed the relevant authorities to work to “establish a procedure to be followed by the owners and drivers of passenger buses who intend to transport passengers at night”.
The association of Tanzanian bus owners has welcomed the lifting of the ban, recognizing its potential to stimulate growth in the transport sector.
In the aftermath of a meeting with all pertinent stakeholders, the Ghana Police Service claims it has put in place necessary security measures for Tuesday’s by-election in the Assin North Constituency in the Central Region.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 26th, it said, “the Police Service wishes to assure the people of Assin North in particular and Ghanaians in general that adequate security measures have been put in place within the Constituency in order to ensure security, law and order before, during and after the election
“In addition, at the instance of the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Management Board (POMAB) held a meeting this morning with key stakeholders in the election including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) and the Electoral Commission to enhance the working relationship among all stakeholders towards a peaceful election” part of the statement said.
According to the police, at the meeting, “the security concerns of all the stakeholders were noted and have been factored into the final security strategy for the election.”
It however noted that, “one concern all the stakeholders want the public to help them address is the circulation of false information on social media. In this regard, we would like to urge the public to be circumspect in their reportage on the election and avoid circulating false information that has the likelihood to occasion a breach of peace since the police will take the necessary action against anyone found culpable.”
The NPP team was led by the National Chairman and National Organiser, while the NDC team was led by the National Chairman and General Secretary. The LPG was also led by its National Secretary and Regional executives and the Electoral Commission was led by its Director of Operations.
“We wish to urge the people of Assin North constituency to go about their normal activities freely including going out to exercise their civic duty of casting their vote.
“We wish to express our gratitude to all our stakeholders for their cooperation so far, and look forward to the same level of cooperation for the last lap of the election to ensure a safe, secure and peaceful exercise.
The two parties have concluded final campaigning with the leadership of the two main parties, the NPP and NDC, including former President John Mahama and President Akufo-Addo joining in.
The contest is largely between the NPP’s Charles Opoku and the NDC’s James Gyakye Quayson, who is the immediate past legislator for the area until his election was nullified by the court over dual citizenship allegations.
As part of an inquiry into his position, Nigeria’s security forces have detained the central bank’s suspended head, according to a statement from the national internal security agency on Saturday.
The arrest of Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele came shortly after new President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government suspended him following nearly a decade in the post.
Tinubu, who came to power at the end of last month following a highly contested February presidential election, had promised reforms to help Africa’s largest economy emerge from financial troubles.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is now in its custody for some investigative reasons,” the DSS internal security agency said in a statement.
The DSS did not give any further details, but one of Tinubu’s government spokesmen earlier said that Emefiele had been suspended immediately as part of an “ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector”.
The bank’s deputy governor will step into the director’s role pending the conclusion of investigations, the statement said.
The central bank did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Emefiele was under fire recently, including over a policy by former president Muhammadu Buhari to replace old naira currency notes with new ones to prevent corruption during this year’s election and curtail cash ransom payments after kidnappings.
The policy led to a huge naira cash shortage across Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, where many people rely on cash payments in the informal economy to survive.
Emefiele had also attempted to run against Tinubu in the ruling All Progressives Congress or APC party primaries to be the party candidate for the presidency. He eventually stepped aside.
A former Lagos governor, Tinubu already stoked controversy on his May 29 inauguration day by immediately calling for an end to long-standing government subsidies to keep petrol prices artificially low.
Fuel prices almost tripled across Nigeria, after Tinubu announced that subsidies were “gone” on the day he took office.
Most analysts say the subsidies needed to end to help the government save billions of dollars in expenses at a time when it has already been struggling to keep up vital oil production.
But the subsidy removal triggered a rapid spike in transportation costs, sending food prices soaring, while electricity has become more costly for those using generators for power at home and business.
The subsidy issue is one of a host of issues facing Nigeria’s new leader, including a security crisis with the armed forces battling jihadists, heavily armed criminal gangs and separatist militants in different parts of the country.
Ukraine is preparing to begin a long-anticipated counter-offensive against Russian forces, according to one of the country’s top security leaders.
Oleksiy Danilov would not name a date but said an assault to retake territory from President Vladimir Putin’s occupying forces could begin “tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week”.
He warned that Ukraine’s government had “no right to make a mistake” on the decision because this was an “historic opportunity” that “we cannot lose”.
As secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, Mr Danilov is at the heart of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s de facto war cabinet.
His rare interview with the BBC was interrupted by a phone message from President Zelensky summoning him to a meeting to discuss the counter-offensive.
During the interview, he also confirmed that some Wagner mercenary forces were withdrawing from the city of Bakhmut, the site of the bloodiest battle of the war so far – but he added they were “regrouping to another three locations” and “it doesn’t mean that they will stop fighting with us”.
Mr Danilov also said he was “absolutely calm” about Russia beginning to deploy nuclear weapons to Belarus, saying: “To us, it’s not some kind of news.”
Ukraine has been planning a counter-offensive for months. But it has wanted as much time as possible to train troops and to receive military equipment from Western allies.
In the meantime, Russian forces have been preparing their defences.
Much is at stake because the government in Kyiv needs to show the people of Ukraine – and Western allies – that it can break through Russian lines, end the effective military deadlock and recapture some of its sovereign territory.
UK sending long-range missiles to Ukraine
Mr Danilov said the armed forces would begin the assault when commanders calculated “we can have the best result at that point of the war”.
Asked if Ukrainian armed forces were ready for the offensive, he replied: “We are always ready. The same as we were ready to defend our country at any time. And it is not a question of time.
“We have to understand that that historic opportunity that is given to us – by God – to our country we cannot lose, so we can truly become an independent, big European country.”
He added: “It could happen tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week.
“It would be weird if I were to name dates of the start of that or those events. That cannot be done…. We have a very responsible task before our country. And we understand that we have no right to make a mistake.”
Image caption,Ukrainian troops have spent months training on Western equipment ahead of the expected attack
Mr Danilov dismissed suggestions the counter-offensive had already begun, saying that “demolishing Russian control centres and Russian military equipment” had been the task of Ukrainian armed forces since 24 February last year – the date Russia launched the invasion.
“We have no days off during this war,” he said.
He defended the decision by Ukraine’s army to fight in Bakhmut for so many months, a battle that has cost the lives of many of its soldiers.
Bakhmut not occupied by Russia, says defiant Zelensky
“Bakhmut is our land, our territory, and we must defend it,” he said. “If we start leaving every settlement, that could get us to our western border as Putin wanted from the first days of the war.”
He said that “we control only a small part of the city, and we admit to that. But you have to keep in mind that Bakhmut has played a big role in this war.”
Asked if Wagner mercenaries were leaving, he replied: “Yes, that is happening. But it doesn’t mean that they will stop fighting with us. They are going to concentrate more on other fronts… they are regrouping to other three locations.”
WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform, is taking steps to bolster user privacy and security with the introduction of its latest feature, “Chat Lock.”
Acknowledging the importance of safeguarding intimate conversations, WhatsApp aims to provide users with an added layer of protection for their sensitive messages.
By implementing the Chat Lock feature, WhatsApp offers a heightened level of security, ensuring that confidential conversations remain private and inaccessible to unauthorised individuals.
This development further emphasizes WhatsApp’s commitment to maintaining the privacy and trust of its vast user base.
WhatsApp New Privacy Feature
According to the reports, the new feature will also hide notifications related to the private chats. To access the messages users have to enter the device password or biometric information.
In its official blog post unveiling the new feature, WhatsApp expressed its belief that the Chat Lock functionality would prove beneficial to individuals who occasionally share their phones with family members or find themselves in situations where someone else is holding their phone precisely when an important or confidential conversation takes place.
The messaging platform anticipates that the feature will enhance user experience by providing an additional level of security and peace of mind in such scenarios.
The messaging app has also shared a video revealing how the new feature will work and how users can take advantage of it. WhatsApp has made a commitment to expand the capabilities of the Chat Lock feature in the upcoming months. Users can expect a range of new options, including the ability to lock chats on companion devices and the option to create a personalized password specifically for locked chats, separate from their phone password.
This enhancement will provide users with more flexibility and control over their privacy settings. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the Chat Lock feature will be accessible on both iOS and Android platforms, ensuring a consistent and secure experience across different operating systems.
The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central,Mahama Ayariga has called for a probe into the events that led to the death of an immigration officer at Bawku in the Upper East region.
He described the act as most reprehensible advising that it should not be repeated.
The three immigration officers were from Bawku to Missiga when their vehicle was shot at by unknown gunmen, resulting in the death of 42-year-old Philip Motey.
The two other officers, Eric Ayibiya, 30, and Laurence Afri, 42, were shot multiple times and are being treated at the Bawku Presbyterian hospital.
The incident occurred on Monday, April 3, 2023. No arrest has been made yet
Mahama Ayariga in a statement said, “I condemn in very strong terms the shooting, injuring and killing of some members of the security agencies in Bawku on Monday 3rd April 2023. This is most reprehensible and should not be repeated again. An investigation into the matter must be conducted, and the perpetrators brought to book”.
The MP in his statement narrated that the immigration personnel were in their private car to town to buy food when the incident happened.
“On 3rd April 2023 at about 2000hrs, Three (3) immigration officers; Asst. Inspt. Philip Motey station at Missiga, Asst. Inspt. Lawrence Afari station at Kulungugu and Asst. Inspt. Eric Ayidiya of Pulimakom border post were shot by unknown gunmen in front of Bawku Police station. They were in their private car to town to buy food when the incident happened,” he stated.
He expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased security personnel extending his prayers to the wounded personnel.
Mahama Ayariga urged government to be proactive in ensuring that peace prevails in Bawku.
“Let me on behalf of the people of Bawku express our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased security personnel and extend our prayers to the wounded. I urge government to be proactive in advancing a lasting peace process in Bawku,” the lawmaker urged.
As earlier reported, hundreds of protesters have occupied a farm owned by the clan of former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta as nationwide demonstrations against the country’s high cost of living break out.
On the vast property outside of Nairobi, the invaders used power saws to fell trees and took hundreds of animals with them.
The vast plot of land will be used to build a luxury housing development.
At the time of the occurrence, there were no police or security personnel present.
Local journalists covering the invasion were also attacked by the mob, meanwhile, businesses near the farm have been shut down.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga called for nationwide protests over allegations that last year’s elections were stolen.
He also says President William Ruto has failed to address the high cost of living in the country.
Mr Odinga, a former prime minister, lost to Mr Ruto in the elections last August. He was backed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The minister of defense, Dominic Nitiwul, has warned the public in no uncertain terms about the murders of security agency employees.
He asserted that the death of the young soldier, Sheriff Imoro, ought to be the last time a member of Ghana’s security agencies is murdered by the same people they have promised to protect.
Major Mahama, an army officer, was allegedly assassinated in 2017 by several Denkyira-Obuasi villagers while he was out for a morning health stroll. It’s said that the young soldier was mistaken for an armed robber.
“Let be the last time that men and women in uniform will be killed by the people they want to protect. Men and women in uniform – Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police, Immigration, all of them,” Mr. Nitiwul warned.
He sounded the caution on Thursday when he led members of the Defence and Interior Committee on a fact-finding mission to Ashaiman to investigate circumstances leading to the death Sherrif Imoro and the subsequent brutality meted out to residents.
The Committee’s first point of call was the residence of the deceased soldier where the Defence Minister said the killers will be made to face the full rigours of the law.
He also consoled the family on their loss and urged them not to seek revenge for the demise of their relative.
“…If it is not the will of God it will never happen. Those criminals would never have succeeded. God wanted it to happen that is why He allowed it to …Don’t take revenge as a family and as people of Ashaiman, the God of Ghana will answer for you. I know that it is difficult for all of us, but God has a way of defending the defenceless and Ghana will defend this family,” he said.
He assured that the doors of the Ministry of Defence are open to the family.
According to him, the President is very disturbed about the turn of events at Ashaiman, adding that the development “only tells us that we have a lot to do.”
He noted that the military brutality of the residents of Ashaiman will be tackled at another forum.
“We will address the military action at another time but today, we are here to commiserate with the family and to let you know that the state is with you. The people of Ghana are mourning with you and will support you throughout your journey of grief and afterwards,” he stated.
“On behalf of the government, I want to extend our deepest condolences to all of you,” he added.
According to him, the Ashaiman incident will be a stepping stone to addressing some happenings in the country.
He urged Ashaiman residents to live peacefully with the security services in the area.
He also commended the Police and intelligence agencies for their swiftness in the arrest of the suspects, adding that it is welcome and has served as a relief.
He added that, “I hope our law courts will not say that justice is delayed. Justice grinds slowly but it will surely come, but in this case, we want justice to grind very fast.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) of Nigeria has issued a warning that the general elections may be postponed if nothing is done to reduce insecurity in the nation.
The elections are due to be held on 25 February.
Inec chairman Mahmood Yakubu said the commission was ensuring that election personnel, materials and process have the highest level of protection especially “given the current insecurity challenges in various parts the country“.
He said if it was was not dealt with decisively, the insecurity “could ultimately culminate in the cancellation or postponement of elections in sufficient constituencies to hinder declaration of elections results and precipitate constitutional crisis”.
“This must not be allowed to happen and shall not be allowed to happen,” Mr Yakubu said.
He called for strengthening of security outfits to ensure the polls are held successfully across the country.
Local media have flagged 15 states likely to experience poll-related violence in the run-up to, during and after the elections.
The foreign minister of France has traveled to the Ivory Coast to meet with President Alassane Ouattara and his administration to discuss trade and security.
Speaking in the economic capital Abidjan on Friday, Catherine Colonna said France will remain at the side of its former French colony “in all areas.”
Around 900 French soldiers are stationed in Ivory Coast and France is one of its biggest investors.
“France believes in the potential of Ivory Coast,” she said.
“It is ready, willing – and has shown it – to accompany its progress, especially through the programme that has worked very well and continues, the famous contract of debt reduction and development that allows us to be the first foreign investor in Ivory Coast, with good results.”
Colonna also met with her Ivorian counterpart Kandia Camara, who told her she was concerned about what she called “terrorists” crossing over from neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso.
Both countries are struggling to defeat Islamic insurgencies.
“Insecurity is everywhere”, but “in terms of security, we have always benefited from the support of France”, said Camara.
On Saturday the French foreign minister was due to meet Defence Minister Birahima Ouattara, who is the president’s brother, to discuss security issues.
Colonna also stressed that one of Ivory Coast’s challenges is to prevent young people from falling into the hands of jihadists by promoting growth. and providing employment.
And she promised to “make up for the delay” in issuing visas, especially for students.
Hopeson Adorye, a former National Security Ministry official has lamented the circumstances under which he recently lost his job.
He states in one breath that he is unperturbed by the turn of events but also that his contributions to the party, particularly the rise to the presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is well known.
Speaking for the first time about his dismissal on Oman FM’s Boiling Point programme last week, Adorye disclosed how he purportedly helped secure the Volta Region from vote manipulation by way of Togolese being brought into Ghana to vote for a particular party.
“You can testify that I was not seated behind the fence wall, I was in the thick of affairs. Ghana – Togo border operations,” he told host of the show, before adding: “I did it with four youth organizers in the Volta Region, we did it at the blind side of the regional executives.
“Because if we had informed them, they will claim they had plans to do it,” he added before narrating how it wasn’t until the day of vote in 2016 when he met the regional secretary at Kpando, then the secretary said they had gotten wind of his undisclosed operations.
He stated further that with his operation, the other party that usually brought illegal voters in, failed so to do: “We all saw the results in Volta Region, when they went to recruit voters, it was unsuccessful but this is my reward today?”
On his dismissal, he stressed: “I’m not a zombie, uncle, I was told that my support is not towards a particular camp so I should be dismissed, I have been dismissed. ‘Your appointment has been terminated with immediate effect. That is why I am stressing that God will cater for us, we will never die.
“I have left it all to God, we won’t sleep hungry. I know it is not my minister who will do this, Kan-Dapaah will not do this. But from what I am hearing, I pity those who issued the instruction,” he added.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has, once, again called for the reform of the Security Council of the United Nations, describing the current structure as an injustice against African countries.
Speaking at an event organised by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, on Wednesday, 10th November 2022, in New York, President Akufo-Addo noted that the Security Council is constrained by its anachronistic structure and methods, which undermine efforts to tackle contemporary challenges in the most effective manner.
“The conversations around reforms, which have been going on for three decades without an end in sight, must, therefore, yield real changes to the structures of the Council to make it innovative in its approach,” he said.
According to the President, the current structure of the UN Security Council represents a long-standing injustice toward the countries of Africa, and the time is long overdue in addressing it.
“It is obvious that the contemporary world has moved on significantly from the post-1945 world, which gave rise to the birth of the United Nations and the structure of the Security Council. The world of 2022, and even less that of 2050, is not the world of 1945. The crisis of the multilateral financial institutions and the United Nations system, which were born from the rubble of the Second World War, is a deep crisis,” President Akufo-Addo said.
He continued, “It will continue until a fair system is put in place; a system that reflects the new balances, no longer based on who lost or won the Second World War, but on the major contemporary and future balances. These balances must take into account new realities such as demographic dynamics or access to resources, in a context of scarcity.”
In its current state, the President noted that the Security Council is finding it increasingly difficult to propagate the rule of law and democratic principles.
“The use of the veto as an instrument of great power and interest is denuding the Security Council of a great deal of legitimacy as the principal instrument for the maintenance of international peace and security. The African Common Position on UN Reform, based on the Ezulwini Consensus, is of even greater relevance today than it has ever been. It is essential that it be brought back to the centre of global discourse,” he stressed.
President Akufo-Addo was confident that it will only be through the reforms that are suggested in the African Common Position that will enable the Security Council to be effective in addressing the challenges of our time.
“And it is only through its effectiveness at maintaining international peace and security that the Council can remain credible, legitimate and relevant,” he added.
Recent media reports claimed that about 20 illegal miners had been trapped in underground mining pits belonging to the company.
But responding to the report in a press statement dated October 19, 2022, AngloGold said while illegal miners have been arrested in its Obuasi Gold Mines, there is no proof of trapped miners in any of its underground pits.
“AngloGold Ashanti Ghana notes yesterday, the arrest of 11 illegal miners apprehended by authorities after exiting underground workings at the Obuasi Gold Mine. Authorities and mine security personnel have conducted a patrol of underground workings in the northern area of the mine and are not aware of anyone remaining underground. Any unauthorized persons who may still be underground are encouraged to leave the mine at any time by the exit points where public security personnel are stationed,” the company said in the statement.
AngloGold underscored the issue of illegal miners intruding into its underground workings, adding that it will continue to ensure the safety of its workers and members of the public.
“Intrusion of illegal miners into our underground workings remains a significantly dangerous activity and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana will work alongside authorities to ensure that only authorized mine personnel and contractors can access underground work areas. Safety of staff, security and all community members remain the highest priority,” the company said.
On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at least, 20 gold miners were reported to have been trapped in one of the pits of Anglogold Ashanti at Obuasi.
According to the Assembly Member for the Ahansony3wodea Electoral Area, Vincent Donkor, he was informed by some relatives at about 3 am on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, that their loved ones had gone missing for five days after leaving their respective homes in search of gold, gbcghanaonline.com reports.
Mr. Donkor said he followed it up with the Security Office of Anglogold Ashanti who in turn asked that the matter be formally reported at the local Police Station for action.
Reports gathered by GBC News suggest that at least, 20 gold miners have been trapped in one of the pits of Anglogold Ashanti at Obuasi in the Ashanti region.
Our Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Nicholas Osei-Wusu, reports that the people were allegedly trapped in the pit some five days ago.
Confirming the information, the Assembly Member for the Ahansony3wodea Electoral Area, Vincent Donkor, told GBC News that he was informed by some relatives at about 3 am on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, that their loved ones had gone missing for five days after leaving their respective homes in search of gold.
Mr. Donkor said he followed it up with the Security Office of Anglogold Ashanti who in turn asked that the matter be formally reported at the Local Police Station for action.
Security analyst, Adib Saani, has refuted suggestions that the recent murders of security men in the Upper West RegionalCapital, Wa, have something to do with terrorism.
According to Adib Saani, the killings in Wa cannot be terrorist related because it does not fall within the modus operandi of any terrorist or jihadist groups.
Speaking in a Joy News interview monitored by GhanaWeb, the security analyst added that terrorists normally target killing a lot of people at once and also announce their conquest after successful attacks.
“Terrorists attack and they want the whole world to know that they have attacked. They areproud to flaunt their terroristic tendencies. So, if it were terrorist attacks, I’m sure they would have announced.
“Secondly, terrorists want more people dead and more people scared. Their lethality has grown over the period and they prefer mass casualties. They have certain formats, they use and this is certainly not one of them,” he said.
He added that even though the recent murders might not be terrorist attacks, they have the potential of creating conditions which terrorists can exploit.
Background:
Sevensecurity guards have, since April 2022, reportedly been abducted by unknown assailants in the Upper West Regional capital. The police, in collaboration with a team constituted by the Wala Traditional Council, have found 4 dead bodies with missing organs.
The 4 bodies have been deposited at the Upper West Regional Hospital morgue by the Special Purpose Intelligence and Investigation team dispatched by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
The Ghana Police Service has also indicated that a pathologist from the Police Hospital has been deployed to assist with the investigation.
It has also arrested one suspect who is alleged to be involved in the series of murders.
According to the police, the suspect, Kankani Adongo, is alleged to be involved in at least the recent murder of a 58-year-old security man.
In a post shared on Facebook, Monday, the police said that Adongo was arrested with the help of some community search parties.
On Friday morning, September 16, 2022 residents woke up to the news of another missing privatesecurity guard, bringing the number to 7 in the last five months.
The recent suspected murder happened near the Wa Technical Institute and is the second to have occurred this week.
Traces of blood were found on the floor near the duty post of the victim. Residents suspect both missing persons have been killed and their bodies hidden.
Police investigations are underway.
Meanwhile, the youth are on rampage and protesting the sudden missing of persons in the area. They stormed Wa Naa’s palace demanding to be given permission to search houses of foreigners.
JoyNews understands that overlord of Wa has summoned all sub-chiefs under his jurisdiction to look into the matter and possibly get the Regional Security Council to impose curfew in the community.
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has officially commenced the decommissioning of the Mr. Louie Platform in the Saltpond Oil Field which is estimated to last 12 months.
Being the first decommissioning project of its kind in Ghana, GNPC, the lead contractor, as well as other relevant stakeholders, have demonstrated their readiness to work hand-in-hand to ensure the success of the project.
Having obtained the majority of the statutory approvals and key permits, GNPC will provide both financial and technical support to fully execute the year-long project.
Oil field
The Mr. Louie Platform (commissioned in 1970) has reached the end of its operational life and is deteriorating.
GNPC has, therefore, engaged Hans & Co. Limited [a wholly Ghanaian- owned Company] to lead a consortium of industry experts in undertaking the project on a turnkey basis.
The release noted that the project would be supported by a project management consultancy firm to ensure that all aspects of the decommissioning, including well plugging and abandonment, and topside removal, are performed with strict adherence to Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental (HSSE) protocol.
In a release, the Chief Executive Officer of the GNPC, Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah said the decommissioning of the first oil platform in Ghana was necessary to ensure that the marine ecosystem around the Saltpond area was returned to its pre-license condition.
With several oil and gas platforms expected to be decommissioned in the future, he said the GNPC personnel would gain additional hands-on technical capabilities by collaborating with other experienced industry experts during this exercise.
The CEO further noted that the field decommissioning process was preceded by pre-planning and a feasibility study that was endorsed by the Ministry of Energy.
“While we continue to work to meet all the technical and safety requirements, the corporation is also enhancing its social license to operate by continuously holding stakeholder and community engagements in coastal communities where the project is taking place.
“This is to sensitize fisherfolk about the importance and the need to observe safety measures and stay away from the restricted zone. We have also supported the traditional authorities to perform all the necessary customary rites for the project to kick off,†he stated in the release.
Mr. Danquah expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum Commission, Ghana Maritime Authority, National Security, Environmental Protection Agency, and other key stakeholders whose representatives were present at the kick-off for their support in ensuring that the project took off successfully.
Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr Alex Yeboah, in-charge of the Ho Municipal Police Command Tuesday advised Ghanaians to take personal security seriously during the Yuletide.
He entreated them to secure their doors when going out and also engage in other forms of security when attending outdoor activities.
ASP Yeboah who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview said criminals took advantage of the negligence of people during the festive occasions to rob them of their valuables.
He cautioned them not to walk alone especially in dark alleys during the night and also entreated them not to take the law into their own hands but follow laid down procedures in resolving disputes.
He said “it behooves on all of us to shed our political coloration and see ourselves first and foremost as Ghanaians to jealously protect the peace we are enjoying in the country.”
ASP Yeboah reiterated the need for all Ghanaians to adhere to the covid-19 safety protocols at all public gatherings during the yuletide.
The Police Commander appealed to them to assist the Police by giving them timely and accurate information on the activities and movement of suspected criminals in order to have an accident free celebration.
He assured that the Police would continue to protect the lives and properties of the citizens, especially during this time of the year.
The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for a “lasting ceasefire” in war-torn Libya, where a fragile truce has been in place since January.
The text, drafted by Britain, was approved by 14 votes out of 15, with Russia abstaining.
It was subject to weeks of wrangling, reflecting deep international divisions over Libya despite world leaders recently agreeing to end all foreign interference in the country and to uphold a weapons embargo.
The resolution affirmed “the need for a lasting ceasefire in Libya at the earliest opportunity, without pre-conditions.”
It also expressed “concern over the growing involvement of mercenaries in Libya.”
Russia had pushed to replace the word “mercenaries” with “foreign terrorist fighters,” but was unsuccessful.
Libya, Africa’s most oil-rich nation, has been mired in chaos since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
Since April 2019, the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) has fought back against an offensive by military commander Khalifa Haftar, who is supported by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
A fragile ceasefire was established on January 12 and at an international summit in Berlin a week later, world leaders agreed to end all foreign interference in Libya and to uphold a weapons embargo.
But there are still near-daily clashes near Tripoli and arms continue to flow into the country.
Moscow is accused of sending several thousand mercenaries from the private Russian security company Wagner to support Haftar, who controls much of the south and east of Libya. Russia denies any involvement.
During negotiations, the United States demanded the Wagner group be clearly identified in the text, diplomats told AFP, before accepting the sole mention of “mercenaries.”
The deputy US ambassador to the UN, Cherith Norman Chalet, lamented after the vote that the Council was not united.
“It’s also very unfortunate that foreign mercenaries, including from the Kremlin-linked Wagner group, are making an inclusive political solution harder to achieve,” she said.
Russia’s UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzia, said his country abstained because of doubts in Moscow about the possibility of enforcing the resolution when the warring parties had not yet agreed to the terms of the ceasefire.
More talks on horizon
The resolution called for continued negotiations by the joint military commission set up in January between the two sides, with the goal of achieving a “permanent ceasefire.”
This would include a monitoring system, a separation of forces and confidence-building measures.
The commission’s Geneva meeting ended Saturday without a resolution, but the UN proposed resuming talks from February 18.
The resolution also called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to submit proposals for monitoring the ceasefire “as soon as possible, when a ceasefire is agreed by the Libyan parties.”
It also called on regional organizations, “notably the African Union, League of Arab States and European Union” to collaborate in order to “support the UN” in its search for a political solution and supervision of a ceasefire.
More than 1,000 people have died in the clashes between Haftar and the GNA, while another 140,000 have been displaced, according to the UN.
