A Security Policy Expert affiliated with the Centre for Security Dialogue and Peace Advocacy, Anthony Acquaye, has urged the Ministry of National Security to adopt a proactive strategy to prevent potential terrorist attacks within the country.This call comes in the wake of recent arrests made by the police in Burkina Faso on September 28, 2023, where individuals suspected to be terrorists were apprehended.

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These alleged terrorists are reported to have been hiding in the Fatchu area of the Sissala West District in Ghana.In a statement, Anthony Acquaye emphasized the importance of close cooperation and intelligence sharing with neighboring nations, particularly Burkina Faso, to collectively combat the shared threat of terrorism affecting the sub-region.

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He stressed the necessity of enhancing security measures along Ghana's borders, particularly in regions with porous boundaries.

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“Having studied the modus operandi of the terrorists, who look for weak and porous areas to operate, and with Ghana having so many unapproved roots at our various borders which can make it easy for terrorists to have their way into the country, through the northern enclave, which is very tricky due to rise in terrorists’ operations in Burkina Faso, in which Ghana shares border with at the north.

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It is important to deploy strong interoperability security measures and a critical collaborative proactive intelligence network among the two countries, and their other neighbouring countries to help tackle the common threat of terrorist attacks that have engulfed the sub-region,” he noted.

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Acquaye also raised concerns about the Ministry of National Security's limited communication with the public regarding the specific types of terrorism threats identified or anticipated by their agency at various levels, including districts and regions.

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He recommended that the Ministry disseminate this information through its website, social media platforms, or text messaging services, enabling citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the relevant security authorities via an active phone number.

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“The Ministry of National Security is not helping the general public by not informing and educating them about the actual type of threats of terrorism identified or anticipated by their outfit that Ghana seem to be facing, including its threats level at the district bases, regional bases and the nation at large, through their website, social media Platforms or their normal text massaging mechanism,” the statement read.

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Furthermore, the Security Policy Expert criticized the Ministry for adopting a terrorism awareness slogan that, in his view, does not align with Ghana's unique threat landscape.

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“Let me register my disappointment with the laziness approach of the Ministry of National Security in not being able to create its own Strategic Terrorism Awareness Campaign Slogan coupled with active contact number for citizens to reach up in any event of suspicious activities, but chose to copy the slogan proposed by executive Allen Kay from New York City which was used by the United States after their 9/11 terrorism attack, and adding to it

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an inactive (999) phone or contact number, which can be reach when citizens call.“Until the Ministry proves that the type of terrorism threat, identified or anticipated to be faced by Ghana is the same as that of the United States, there is no point in adopting a Plagiarized slogan which does not concur with the combating of Ghana's type of terrorism threat.

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In the United Kingdom, for instance, the M15 created their own terrorism threat campaign awareness slogan, termed (SCaN) meaning See, Check and Notify. In that, if you see anything check and notify the security agency,” he stated.

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He continued “It is also imperative to state on record that, the Ministry of National Security is doing its best to help prevent any act of terrorism that may befall the country through the launch of the Terrorism Awareness Campaign slogan "If you see something, say something" with gospel musician Empress Gifty as the brand ambassador, which I have my reservation on her appointment,” he added.

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