- Orders Soldiers, Police Action in Garu & Bunpurugu
The Ministry of National Security, has notified the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service of suspicious movement of a group of persons at Garu, Bunpurugu and Nanpanduri in the North East Region.
“Intelligence gathered indicated suspicious movement of a group of persons along a mountainous area that borders Bunkpurugu/ Nanpanduri District in the North East Region and Garu in the Upper East Region,” the National Security Coordinator, Amb. Maj-Gen. Francis Adu-Amanfoh rtd disclosed in notice dated June 3, 2022.
The document said “that the group was reportedly sigthed aboard motorbikes dressed in appreals that hid their faces and headed for the mountainous area in the Garu District”.
The National Security Coordinator’s letter to the security agencies stated that “Your attention is drawn to the aforementioned for urgent action”.
Recently, the Ministry of National Security urged Ghanaians to be more vigilant, warning that Ghana is a target for terrorists in the sub-region.
It said that extra vigilance was needed at mass gatherings, “especially at public places of entertainment and worship, such as churches and mosques.”
“Our immediate neighbours, Burkina Faso, la Côte d’Ivoire and Togo have all experienced such attacks, and we have to recognise that our country remains a target as the security services work to keep us all safe,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The employment of guards, security gadgetry and lighting of the areas surrounding the areas of public gatherings would all help, but nothing beats the vigilance of each of us individuals, taking personal responsibility and looking out for each other.”
The West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism in its latest report also warned that Ghana was at high risk of terrorism following pockets of civil, political, and social unrest in parts of the West African sub region.
Amid these warnings, the ministry assured that the security agencies “are working hard to ensure the safety of our country and its people, and we count on your continuing support in this endeavour.”
The recent concern follows an attack in Togo in which eight soldiers were killed and 13 wounded last Wednesday.
This was the first deadly raid on its territory by Islamist militants, who have claimed thousands of lives in other West African countries like Mali and Burkina Faso.
This warning comes as Togo opens its land borders with Ghana.
Meanwhile, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has partnered with the National Security to improve intelligence gathering as threats of terror attacks in the subregion intensify.
General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas T. Musah said the collaboration is “expected to enable teachers to complement efforts of the Ministry of National Security to protect Ghana’s borders” and promote peace in communities.
As part of efforts to disseminate information on Ghana’s National Security Strategy, the Ministry of National Security engaged the leadership of GNAT at all levels to “enable them inform members on why it is important for the country’s security to be safeguarded”, he added.
National Security Coordinator, Maj. Gen. Francis Adu-Amanfoh, who interacted with the teachers said, it is important that “teachers in all communities become alert and aware of their surroundings and pick-up signals” that would complement efforts to enhance security across the country.
He asked the officers of GNAT to also educate members on sensitive information and signals needed to assist National Security to maintain peace internally and across Ghana’s borders.
GNAT President, Rev. Isaac Owusu, encouraged teachers to “assist security agencies in addressing conflicts” in their efforts to maintain the peace.
Within the first quarter of 2022, out of the 346 terrorists’ attacks in various African countries, 49 percent of them have occurred in the West African sub region.
On May 11, 2022, in Togo, about 15 assailants and eight military personnel were killed during a terrorist attack.
The Ministry of National Security as part of its activities has also launched an initiative; the ‘See Something Say Campaign’ with a toll free number, 999 made available for the public to provide information on any suspicious persons or activities.
GNAT, as the biggest union in the country, has become one of the key stakeholders for the Ministry of National Security due to emerging instability in the West African sub region.
