TIG Post

Tag: National Security

  • National Security operative sacked for involvement in galamsey

    National Security operative sacked for involvement in galamsey

    The appointment of an operative of the National Security Coordinating Secretariat (NSCS) has been revoked over suspicion of involvement in illegal mining activities (galamsey).

    Issah Yakubu’s alleged activities were uncovered following an operation conducted on October 23 by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC). He is said to have been engaged in illegal mining activities within the Oda River Forest Reserve.

    During the operation, authorities arrested 15 illegal miners and nine armed individuals posing as National Security operatives after destroying  a well-organised illegal mining network in the reserve.

    Meanwhile, two of the suspects posing as National Security operatives have been detained and are assisting authorities with investigations.

    The galamsey menace continues to threaten not only Ghana’s water bodies, food crops, and forest reserves but also the country’s energy infrastructure. Earlier this month, Ghana Water Limited and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) blamed illegal mining activities for the 200% tariff increment proposal under the 2025–2030 Multi-Year Tariff Order. The Director of Communications for ECG, William Boateng, made this publicon Tuesday, October 14.

    “They are digging and moving towards the roads and trenches, which is very dangerous. Anytime we have the slightest rainfall, the poles come down because the base has been weakened. That affects the stability of power supply.

    “It costs us more money to fix the fallen poles and restore the line. Beyond that, we are also losing unserved energy power that we’ve already purchased but cannot deliver to customers,” Mr. Boateng noted.In September, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) received proposals from eight utility companies calling for a significant adjustment in utility tariffs to ensure they can fully operate at capacity.Proposals from the electricity distributors and the water provider for the 2025–2029 tariff period cite rising operational costs and the need to maintain efficient service delivery.

    The eight companies include the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Volta River Authority (VRA), Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), and Ghana National Gas Limited, among others.

    ECG is pushing for a massive 225% hike in its distribution service charge. For instance, a household consuming 150 kWh monthly would pay an additional GHS64, while a residence using 100 kWh per month would pay about GHS43 more in distribution charges. As part of ECG’s request, the current Distribution Service Charge (DSC) of 19 pesewas per kilowatt-hour should be raised to nearly 62 pesewas per kilowatt-hour.

    “The PURC will undertake the major adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2025 to reflect capacity charges, additional liquid fuel usage, and additional capex. The current charge is below industry benchmarks, and cedi depreciation has reduced its value. US$408 million spent on network upgrades and smart meters,” parts of ECG’s petition read.

    ECG has emphasized that the adjustment has long been overdue, noting that in 2022 it proposed 39.95 pesewas, but only 19.04 pesewas was approved.

    According to ECG, it has invested $48 million in network upgrades and smart metering systems to enhance power reliability, reduce outages, and align tariffs with international industry standards, yet these efforts have not yielded the expected cost recovery.

    Furthermore, ECG has projected an annual revenue of GHS9.5 billion between 2025 and 2029 if the new charges are approved. The proceeds, according to the utility company, would be allocated to cover operational costs, depreciation of assets, staff salaries, and the recovery of recent capital expenditures.

    Despite mounting pressure on government, President John Mahama insists that Ghana can eradicate the long-term canker if it deploys more troops and invests more resources in the fight. He concluded that the battle may be a long one, but his administration is committed to winning it.

    According to him, government advisors believe the country can overcome galamsey by adopting best practices in small-scale mining, including technologies that help neutralize or remove harmful chemicals from water bodies.

    “While we are fighting the menace, I am also saying we should uptake technology in order to protect the environment. So yes, let’s fight the illegal mining but at the same time, let’s bring in new technology that will help us protect our environment.

    “Now, with the elephant in the room State of Emergency yes, I have the power to do it, but the President acts on the advice of the National Security Council. And as at now, this moment, the National Security Council believes that we can win the fight against galamsey without declaring a State of Emergency. I want to assure you that the day they advise me otherwise that, boss, now we need a State of Emergency I won’t hesitate,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Adam Mutawakilu Mutawakilu, has indicated that the declaration of a State of Emergency is not the remedy to ending illegal mining activities (galamsey) in the country.

    At a press conference in Accra on Monday, October 20, he stated that such a measure will escalate tensions in the country rather than provide a lasting solution to the galamsey menace.

    He explained that declaring a State of Emergency would only push illegal miners to other parts of the country, forcing the government to extend the declaration to all regions. This, he argued, would be unrealistic and unsustainable. To prevent that, he called on the government to introduce lasting solutions rather than temporary ones.

    “First and foremost, I don’t think that a State of Emergency will stop illegal mining. If you declare a State of Emergency in one area, they [illegal miners] would migrate to another area. At the end of the day, the whole of Ghana will be in a State of Emergency.

    “You declare a State of Emergency for how many years? There must be pragmatic measures, as President Mahama has outlined, to ensure sustainability. From my position at Ghana Water, I don’t believe a State of Emergency is the answer,” he said.





  • National Security, GoldBod foil gold smuggling attempt by foreign nationals

    National Security, GoldBod foil gold smuggling attempt by foreign nationals

    An effective operation by the National Security and the Ghana Gold Board has averted the illegal smuggling of gold outside the jurisdiction of the country by some recalcitrant foreign nationals.

    Gold, cash, food, and currency counting machines were intercepted today from three Indian nationals during the operation.

    The arrest comes after Goldbod ordered that all foreign nationals involved in gold trading exit the sector by April 30.

    “A breach of these directives shall constitute a punishable offense under the GoldBod Act, 2025 (Act 1140),” stated a press release dated April 23.

    Smuggling of gold has an adverse impact on the country’s economy. Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has noted that Ghana lost an estimated $1.2 billion in gold revenue in 2022 due to illegal smuggling.

    In March this year, the sector minister, while addressing stakeholders after a meeting with officials from the UK-Ghana Gold Programme, outlined the government’s renewed efforts to curb gold smuggling and ensure Ghana benefits fully from its mineral wealth.

    Goldbod will oversee the gold sector, tackle illegal trade, and promote responsible sourcing in line with global standards such as the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) certification.

    In April, GoldBod security taskforce arrested three Indian nationals suspected of engaging in illicit gold trade in a targeted operation in Kumasi.

    The suspects; Goutam Katriya (35), Miraj Sarvaych (22), and Manash Damani (42), were nabbed at a private residence around Atinga Junction that had been converted into an unauthorised gold trading hub.

    An amount of 1.9 million cedis, 4,500 rupees, 4.363 kilograms of gold, two counting machines, a CCTV recorder, and an Indian passport were found in the possession of the suspects.

    The suspects had no valid licenses to grade gold within the country and could not produce any residence or work permits, nor any tax documentation related to their operations, according to preliminary findings.

    Meanwhile, these suspects are set to be repatriated, according to GoldBod.

  • National Security finds alleged ECG cables,meter covers, others in Western Region

    National Security finds alleged ECG cables,meter covers, others in Western Region

    Western Regional Office of National Security has discovered a large quantity of suspected stolen electrical items at Kansawurodo, a suburb in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

    Acting on a tip-off, security officers found the items hidden in an uncompleted building, believed to be connected to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

    The items found include 46 cable drums, electric switches, meter boxes, meter covers, iron angle bars, and other valuable materials usually used in ECG operations.

    These materials are suspected to be missing property of ECG. Two people have been arrested and are currently assisting with investigations.

    Hashim Torkonu, a National Security officer who led the operation, told Channel One News on Monday, April 7, that the way the items were hidden suggests they were being kept secretly and possibly stolen.

    He said this case is different from a previous one involving a similar discovery at a private home, which is also under investigation.

    According to him, the suspect from the earlier case gave inconsistent statements, which raised more doubts.

    He added that the Regional Security Coordinator will contact the national office in Accra for further instructions, especially since no one has come forward to claim the newly discovered items.

    “The stocks here are different from the ones that we uncovered in that private residence. That one has been owned by a contractor.

    The main concern authorities have with one of the suspects is how the electrical materials ended up at his private residence. Additionally, the list of items he provided during questioning did not match what was actually found. Investigators say they are still in the early stages of the case.

    The Regional Security Coordinator is expected to contact the national headquarters in Accra for further instructions. So far, no one has claimed ownership of the items. According to officials, even nearby residents said they don’t know who owns the goods or how they got there.

    One of the suspects, Evans Lartey, claims he is innocent. He said he is a certified contractor for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and that he legally supplies meters and cables under contract.

    Authorities say investigations are still ongoing to confirm where the materials came from and whether they were legally acquired.

  • Nigerian businessman, Ben Peters detained by National Security – Report

    Nigerian businessman, Ben Peters detained by National Security – Report

    National Security operatives, alongside personnel from the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces, have reportedly apprehended Nigerian businessman Ben Peters at the Aurora Apartments in Kanda, near the Jubilee House.

    According to reports, the operation, which led to Peters’ arrest, was carried out under the leadership of the Director in Charge of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, Richard Jakpa, and the Deputy Director of Operations at the Office of the President, Mustapha Gbande.

    The arrest followed complaints that Peters had blocked the entrance to the apartment complex with his vehicles, in collusion with armed men, preventing other residents from accessing the premises.

    In addition to arresting Peters and his associates, the security forces seized his vehicles.

    Mustapha Gbande, speaking at the scene, condemned Peters’ actions, “He has blocked the place such that no individual can go in or come out. Nobody can come into our country and take our people into this ransom. It is illegal and unlawful. This cannot be done in Nigeria and certainly not in this country.”

    The report also revealed that Peters resisted arrest and attempted to flee, but was eventually captured after Ghanaian businessman Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of former President John Dramani Mahama, arrived at the scene and intervened.

  • Sapeiman fake gold saga: National Security intensifies efforts to capture mastermind – Jakpa

    Sapeiman fake gold saga: National Security intensifies efforts to capture mastermind – Jakpa

    A top official at the National Security Secretariat, Richard Jakpa, has revealed that a search is still ongoing for the main suspect behind a major counterfeiting operation uncovered in Sapeiman, near Accra, in February.

    Speaking to journalists during a tour of the crime scene, Mr. Jakpa said investigators had found a lot of strong evidence, which remains untouched to avoid tampering while the investigation continues.

    The operation shocked security officials, as it led to the discovery of ten large containers—each 40 feet long—packed with fake Ghana cedi and US dollar notes. Investigators believe two more containers were quickly removed from the site just before the security raid.

    In a surprising discovery, officers also found official Bank of Ghana (BoG) money boxes at the scene. Checks confirmed that the boxes were real and not fake, raising serious questions about how the counterfeit group got them.

    Another key finding was an unfinished building nearby, which looked ordinary from the outside but was secretly being used as the main base for the criminal activities.

    At the front of the building, an elderly man known in the area as the “Battery Doctor” pretended to run a car battery-charging business. This was a clever cover to avoid raising suspicion.

    Inside the building, investigators discovered piles of fake money in different currencies and amounts. They also found fake gold bars, some of which were already peeling and showing silver-colored metal underneath.

    Mr. Richard Jakpa confirmed that the entire operation was being run by a well-organized criminal group. He said the main suspect, known only as “Alhaji,” is still on the run. However, he assured the media that National Security officers are working hard to track him down.

    “We have solid evidence connecting Alhaji to the crime scene and to the broader network of illegal activities,” Mr. Jakpa said. “We are confident that it is only a matter of time before he is apprehended.”

    The uncovering of the counterfeit operation has raised serious concerns about financial safety and the potential manipulation of national symbols by criminals.

    National Security has vowed to hold everyone responsible accountable and enhance monitoring systems to prevent future incidents.

  • Are the 706 containers evacuated by National Security part of missing ECG containers? – Ntim Fordjour quizzes

    Are the 706 containers evacuated by National Security part of missing ECG containers? – Ntim Fordjour quizzes

    Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has raised pressing questions regarding the whereabouts of the missing Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) containers, valued at over $700 million.

    In a post on X on Wednesday, April 2, Rev. Ntim Fordjour questioned whether the 706 containers recently evacuated by National Security are linked to the 1,340 containers reported missing.

    “Where are the missing ECG containers worth over $700 million? Could these 706 containers evacuated by National Security be part of the missing 1,340 containers?” he inquired.

    Expressing frustration over the lack of transparency, he criticized the Ministry of Energy for failing to disclose the evacuation during previous briefings.

    “How come we never heard about this so-called evacuation by National Security in any of the briefing provided by the Energy Minister thus far?” he questioned.

    Rev. Ntim Fordjour insisted that the government provide a full account of all missing containers, stressing that the public deserves clear and credible answers.

    “We need coherent answers. We need all the containers accounted for!” he demanded, calling for urgent action to address the controversy surrounding the ECG container scandal.

  • NDC Volta Regional Secretariat deploys 180 officers to National Security Council

    NDC Volta Regional Secretariat deploys 180 officers to National Security Council

    Volta Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced the deployment of 180 officers from the region as temporary personnel for the National Security Council Secretariat.

    In a statement dated March 28, 2025, and signed by Acting Regional Secretary Bright Kwashie Ege, the NDC disclosed that ten individuals from each constituency in the region had been selected for the role.

    Their appointments will officially take effect on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

    The statement emphasized that the newly appointed officers would be responsible for gathering intelligence and reporting potential threats to peace and security within their respective constituencies.

    The party congratulated the selected officers and encouraged them to demonstrate competence and dedication in their roles. Additionally, plans are in place for the Volta Regional Minister to provide an orientation and necessary support to aid them in their duties.

    This initiative is viewed as part of a broader strategy to enhance national security through localized intelligence gathering.

  • Ghana-Chad clash: NSA handles ticketing; even GFA members struggled – Fred Acheampong

    Ghana-Chad clash: NSA handles ticketing; even GFA members struggled – Fred Acheampong

    Frederick Acheampong, a member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council, has disclosed that he and his colleagues faced significant challenges in securing tickets for Ghana’s World Cup qualifier against Chad.

    According to him, ticketing falls under the jurisdiction of the National Sports Authority (NSA), making it difficult for even high-ranking GFA officials to obtain access despite their positions.

    Speaking to Kessben FM on March 26, 2025, Acheampong clarified that contrary to public perception, the GFA is not responsible for ticketing or stadium security for Black Stars matches, as those duties are handled by the NSA.

    “For Black Stars matches, the state takes over, including ticket issuance. Even GFA officials struggled to get tickets from the NSA to watch the games. Security for the Black Stars games is handled by National Security; the GFA have no hand in those matters.

    “At the moment, the GFA present the national team, while the NSA and National Security take care of the match. They need to enhance the security protocol,” he said in Twi.

    The Black Stars defeated Chad 5-0 on March 21, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium and secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Madagascar on March 25, 2025.

    After six matches played, Ghana lead Group I with 15 points, followed by Comoros with 12 points, while Madagascar lie in third position with 10 points.

  • National Security denies taking money or jewelry from Dr. Addison’s home

    National Security denies taking money or jewelry from Dr. Addison’s home

    National Security has refuted claims that its operatives took cash or valuables during a raid on the residence of former Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison.

    The operation, carried out on Wednesday, March 19, led to the discovery of empty money storage boxes at his Roman Ridge home.

    According to National Security officials, the raid was conducted based on intelligence suggesting that Dr. Addison was in possession of funds belonging to the central bank. They stated that the operation was lawful, backed by a search warrant, and executed in line with standard procedures.

    As part of their investigative process, operatives also retrieved the hard drive from Dr. Addison’s CCTV system, a move they described as routine. Addressing allegations of theft, a National Security source firmly dismissed the accusations.

    “We did not take any money or jewelry from Dr. Addison’s home. We will, in due course, make public a full list of items retrieved during the search,” the source told 3News.com.

    The search has since sparked heated political reactions, with the Minority in Parliament condemning it as part of a disturbing pattern of security raids targeting former government officials.

    The controversy deepened with the reported arrest and subsequent release of journalist Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah on the same day. The raid on Dr. Addison’s home also follows a similar operation conducted by National Security at the residence of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on February 11, 2025.

    In response, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged President John Mahama to put an end to what he calls politically motivated security actions.

    “President John Dramani Mahama, please leave a legacy. Let it be said that even if there were excesses in the exercise of executive power when you had the opportunity, you changed it for good. Own that legacy in your name. We are tired of the intimidation, the attacks, and the hypocrisy,” he stated.

  • Ex-BoG governor Dr. Addison’s residence raided by National Security

    Ex-BoG governor Dr. Addison’s residence raided by National Security

    Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, Richard Jakpa led a team of about 20 armed men in a raid on the private residence of Dr. Ernest Addison, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana.

    The incident took place on the morning of Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Dr. Addison’s home in Roman Ridge, Accra. The heavily armed operatives, some masked and carrying AK-47 rifles, reportedly disabled the property’s CCTV system upon arrival before proceeding with their operation.

    According to Asaase News, the security officers demanded to be taken to “vaults” within the house.

    Dr. Addison, however, insisted that no such vaults or large sums of cash were stored on the premises. Despite his denial, the operatives allegedly went ahead and ransacked the house.

    Sources indicate that no vaults or significant cash amounts were found during the search. Before leaving, the security team took the CCTV monitor and control unit from the residence.

    A close associate of Dr. Addison described the ordeal as traumatic for the former Governor, his wife, and their entire family.

    A retired senior official of the Bank of Ghana, reacting to the development, expressed concern“This is the first time in the history of Ghana that such a thing is happening to a Governor of the Bank of Ghana. This is both scary and messy”.

    This marks at least the second raid of its kind led by Jakpa since President John Mahama assumed office on January 7, 2025.

    A similar operation was carried out on February 10, 2025, when over 15 armed men stormed the Labone residence of Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s longest-serving Finance Minister.

    Unlike Dr. Addison’s case, the raid on Ofori-Atta’s home was caught on CCTV, with the footage later released to the public.

  • 12 containers of fake US dollars, suspected gold bars intercepted by National Security

    12 containers of fake US dollars, suspected gold bars intercepted by National Security

    National Security operatives have seized a major consignment of counterfeit currency and suspected gold bars concealed in twelve 20-foot shipping containers.

    The operation, carried out following an intelligence tip-off, led officers to a warehouse in Sapeiman, located in the Ga South Municipality, where the illicit cargo was discovered.

    Upon examination, officials found wooden boxes stuffed with fake US dollar bills hidden within layers of cement to evade detection. Additional confiscated items included counterfeit Ghana cedi notes, imitation Ghana Army uniforms, and boots, raising concerns about a potential security threat.

    Authorities have disclosed that two of the twelve containers remain missing, with ongoing efforts to locate them.

    Meanwhile, a manhunt has been launched for four key suspects, including an individual known only as Alhaji, believed to be the mastermind behind the operation. National Security has assured the public that investigations are ongoing to dismantle the syndicate and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

  • Video: National Security and COCOBOD task force intercept illicit cocoa smuggling operation

    Video: National Security and COCOBOD task force intercept illicit cocoa smuggling operation

    A successful interception of an illicit cocoa smuggling operation was achieved by a joint task force of National Security and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

    The operation, which involved a routine search, uncovered a fuel tanker illegally transporting cocoa beans from Ghana’s Volta Region into Togo.

    The operation, conducted as part of a routine search, led to the discovery of several bags of cocoa beans hidden within the tanker.

    This seizure comes in the wake of alarming revelations by Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo who disclosed that Ghana has lost approximately 150,000 tones of cocoa beans due to smuggling activities.

    The interception highlights ongoing efforts by authorities to combat illegal cocoa trade and protect the nation’s vital cocoa industry.

    Background

    Ghana lost 150,000 tonnes of cocoa beans due to activities of smuggling last year, 2023 the Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boa­hen Aidoo, has revealed.

    To clamp down on the practice, he said, the Board had established a taskforce including personnel of the National Security to undertake regular operations to arrest the per­petrators and retrieve the product.

    He noted that, one such opera­tion in 2023 in an unnamed com­munity in the Volta Region resulted in the death of two young persons.

    Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament in Accra, Mr. Aidoo said, producer price varia­tions which was significantly low in Ghana was the reason for the continuous smuggling of cocoa to neighboring countries.

    Explaining what had account­ed for the price differentials, he stated that, Ghana was engaged in forward-sales of cocoa which allows the Board to sell off 60 to 65 per cent of cocoa produce as syndication at a significant lower fee before it was harvested.

    He noted La Côte d’Ivoire, on the other hand, sells on the spot, which gives farmers the opportuni­ty to demand higher sales for their produce.

    Already, Mr Aidoo said, Ghana had developed a new producer price which would be implemented in the new crop season to guaran­tee higher prices for cocoa beans.

    He said, in addition to the smug­gling, Ghana’s dwindling cocoa production was due to the out­break of El Niño disease, not only in Ghana and activities of illegal mining in most cocoa growing areas of the country.

    The situation, he noted, was not exclusive to Ghana saying that the country’s main competitor in cocoa production, Côte d’Ivoire lost about 600,000 tonnes of cocoa to the disease.

    In this regard, COCOBOD, he stated, had set up a desk to deal with illegal mining by engaging farmers and other stakeholders and had cut down cocoa trees affected by the disease through the rehabili­tation project since 2020.

    “Cocoa output for the 2020/2021 season was 1,047,000 tonnes. This was the highest we have recorded in recent years. However, smuggling, the out­break of El Niño disease, which compelled us to cut down cocoa trees as well as illegal mining have accounted for the drop in produc­tion.

    We forecasted a drop to 750,000 tonnes for the 2022/2023 harvest, and that of the 2023/2024 is be­tween 650,000 and 700,000 tonnes due to the impact of illicit activi­ties,” he added.

    However, Mr Aidoo noted that, the rehabilitation of cocoa and other policies implemented by CO­COBOD would see cocoa produc­tion skyrocket within the next four or five years.

    Responding to queries about the recent approval to a company for the importation of cocoa beans, he stated that, the policy of cocoa importation by foreign companies had existed for a long time.

    He said, it was to enable com­panies which manufacture cocoa products to have cocoa from different sources for blending to prepare their recipes.

    Watch video below:

  • Wall around Prison Service land wasn’t destroyed by National Security – Interior Minister

    Wall around Prison Service land wasn’t destroyed by National Security – Interior Minister

    Interior Minister Henry Quartey has dismissed allegations that a staff member from the Office of the Vice President used national security operatives to demolish a fence wall on land owned by the Ghana Prisons Service.

    On June 24, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming that Professor Kwaku Appiah Adu had taken over lands belonging to the Ghana Prisons Service.

    Following opposition from the Prisons Service, Professor Adu took the matter to court, asserting his ownership of the disputed land.

    Addressing Parliament on July 5, Quartey denied any official notice of the alleged demolition, emphasizing Professor Adu’s distinguished reputation.

    He stated, “The gentleman in question is a distinguished gentleman, and for the records, when this matter started, he was not working for the Vice President. Mr Speaker, the fact that somebody is working for a politician does not restrict him or her from pursuing his own private business.”

    Mr Quartey further refuted claims of national security involvement, stating, “There isn’t anything to substantiate that national security operatives, for that matter, have been assigned or rather approached by the same gentleman to demolish, and thirdly, it has not come to my attention.”

    The Interior Minister highlighted the severe living conditions at the Ghana Prisons Service barracks, where junior officers and their families endure cramped quarters. To address this, the ministry has been reviewing redevelopment proposals. “

    The service has for the last 20 years received proposals from developers for the development of the headquarters and the barracks in order to address accommodation challenges for the officers but has been unsuccessful,” Quartey explained.

    In 2021, the Ghana Prisons Service received a promising proposal from a developer to upgrade the cantonment barracks. The plan includes providing accommodations ranging from one to three bedrooms for 440 officers, replacing the current 330 units. It also features a new headquarters building and modern facilities.

    The proposal has been endorsed by prison officers and the prison council service. However, Okudzeto Ablakwa raised concerns about the developer’s intentions.

    “I don’t believe that this is some Father Christmas who has descended upon the prison service to do them a favour. What is he getting in return? Is he getting portions of the land? If he is, what size, what acres? Let’s know what the consideration is.”

    Mr Quartey clarified that the developer would receive land deeds for some portions of the land. Ablakwa, however, pointed to a Lands Commission statement indicating the land had been allocated to Professor Adu, questioning the consistency of government positions.

    “So the same government, conflicting status, the Interior minister, and the land minister. What are you going to do to really resolve this matter and get the Lands Commission to align with the position of your ministry so that we can protect the Institute lands, which belong to the Ghana Prison Service?” Ablakwa queried.

    He continued, “This gentleman, Professor Kweku Appiah Adu, who is a senior advisor to the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, his Excellency, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, according to the Ghana prison service in these documents I have, it has gone to demolish portions of the fence that you have told us about.”

    Ablakwa pressed further, asking, “The fence you are constructing. Are you aware that he has allegedly led national security operatives? That is what the Ghana prison service is alleging that they are, national security operatives, and they have demolished portions of their fence, seeking to take over. Are you aware of this development, and what are you doing to assist the prison service?”

    As the debate continues, the government faces pressure to resolve the land dispute and ensure alignment between the Interior Ministry and the Lands Commission to protect the interests of the Ghana Prisons Service.

  • National Security to probe source of leaked audio recording of A-G, Richard Jakpa

    National Security to probe source of leaked audio recording of A-G, Richard Jakpa

    The trial judge in the case involving Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Justice Efia Serwah Asare-Botwey, has directed the National Security to investigate the source of an audio recording of court proceedings that has been circulated widely.

    The court proceedings were paused after Deputy Attorney-General Alfred Tuah Yeboah raised concerns about the unauthorized recording of last week’s cross-examination of the third accused, Richard Jakpa.

    The recording was allegedly shared on various WhatsApp platforms, prompting the judge to summon all parties, including the accused, for a meeting in chambers.

    Following the meeting, Justice Asare-Botwey warned, “If it’s repeated I’ll clear the court and hold the case in-camera. Only prosecution, lawyers and the accused persons will be allowed in.”

    Last week, Mr. Tuah Yeboah stated that the prosecution was not particularly concerned about the contents of the audio recording, which featured an exchange between Attorney-General Godfred Dame and Richard Jakpa.

    Speaking to journalists after court proceedings on Thursday, June 13, he said, “Not at all, because this audio is nothing that you have heard. In terms of the content, we are not minded about that because it is something that is in the public domain.”

    Despite this, the High Court admitted the audio recording into evidence on the same day. This followed a previous ruling on June 6, where Justice Asare-Botwey dismissed an application for mistrial filed by Dr. Ato Forson’s lawyers, concluding that the tape did not reveal any instruction from Godfred Dame for Mr. Jakpa to implicate Dr. Forson.

    Furthermore, the court also dismissed an application for mistrial filed by Ato Forson. The recording did not demonstrate any direct manipulation by the Attorney-General to influence the testimony of the third accused, thereby undermining the defense’s claims.

    Lawyers for Dr. Forson, who is also the Minority Leader, have since filed a supplementary affidavit supporting a motion for an order of mistrial, injunction, and a stay of proceedings in the ongoing ambulance case.

    As the investigation into the source of the leaked audio proceeds, the legal community and the public await further developments in this high-profile trial.

  • Man who allegedly shot, killed soldier at Kasoa not a staff member – National Security Ministry

    Man who allegedly shot, killed soldier at Kasoa not a staff member – National Security Ministry

    The Ministry of National Security has refuted social media claims suggesting that Benlord Ababio, a suspect in the fatal shooting of a soldier at Kasoa Millennium City, is affiliated with the national security apparatus.

    In a succinct statement dated May 1, 2024, the Ministry urged the public to ignore any assertions linking the suspect to their organization.

    Currently, Ababio is in police custody, cooperating with investigations regarding the death of the late L/Cpl Danso Michael.

    According to a military statement, the incident occurred on April 30, 2024, and is linked to a land dispute.

    The complete text of the Ministry’s statement is provided below:

    The Ministry of National Security has taken note of a news item in circulation on social media that a supposed staff of the Ministry of National Security, by name Benlord Ababio, in an incident that occurred on Tuesday 30th April, 2024 at Millennium City, Kasoa, shot and killed a soldier.

    The Ministry wishes to put on record that the suspect, Benlord Ababio, who is currently in police custody, is not a staff of the Ministry of National Security.

    The public is therefore, urged to disregard any news item that portrays the suspect as a staff of the Ministry of National Security.

    The Ministry wishes to clarify that the aforementioned suspect, Benlord Ababio, currently held in police custody, is not employed by the Ministry of National Security.

    Therefore, the public is advised to disregard any information portraying the suspect as a member of the Ministry of National Security.

  • Col Gaisie implicated in NPP HQs’ $100k National Security bribe in Nicaragua ‘Jakpa’ saga

    Col Gaisie implicated in NPP HQs’ $100k National Security bribe in Nicaragua ‘Jakpa’ saga

    Tension has arisen at the New Patriotic Party Headquarters following allegations that two National Security officials utilized the Asylum Down office for the receipt of a US$100,000 payment related to flight facilitation to Nicaragua.

    The individuals in question, Ali Mohammed Kasule (commonly known as Aliu) and Robert Yaw Akumpo (referred to as Roberts), purportedly met with their counterparts inside an office at the NPP Headquarters in late 2022 to receive an initial payment of US$80,000.

    This payment was intended for flight clearance for a chartered flight to Nicaragua, aimed at facilitating the journey of some youth seeking a pathway to the United States, as confirmed by MyNewsGh.com.

    The two National Security officials received the funds from Mohammed Tindannayil Bala, who serves as the coordinator for the Nicaragua trip.

    Specifically, US$80,000 was exchanged at the NPP party office in Asylum Down, while the remaining US$20,000 was transacted at Aliu’s residence in Nanakrom.

    The money originated from youth residing in various communities such as Nima, Mamobi, New Town, 441, Kumasi, Tamale, Bimbila, Takoradi, and other locations across the country, all seeking better opportunities in the United States via the Nicaragua route.

    Following the cancellation of the trip, Aliu and Roberts allegedly went into hiding, refusing to refund the money.

    They claim to have already disbursed US$15,000 to Colonel Gaisey, the head of National Security at the airport, but are unable to retrieve it.

  • NPP will win Ejisu by-election – Nana Boakye

    NPP will win Ejisu by-election – Nana Boakye

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) remains optimistic about winning the upcoming by-election in the Ejisu Constituency, despite the emergence of independent candidate Kwabena Owusu Aduomi as a strong contender.

    Both the party’s national and regional executives have intensified their campaign efforts within the constituency, expressing confidence in retaining the Ejisu parliamentary seat.

    Henry Nana Boakye, National Organizer of the NPP, affirmed the party’s unwavering confidence in an interview with Citi News, stating, “Ejisu is clearly NPP, and NPP is Ejisu…we do not believe any independent candidate can secure victory in the Ejisu Constituency.”

    The party further emphasized that Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, the former Member of Parliament for the area running as an independent candidate, has made minimal contributions to the constituency’s development.

    Nana Boakye emphasized that the independent candidate does not pose a threat to the party’s anticipated triumph.

    “Clearly Ejisu is NPP and NPP is Ejisu…we do not see that any independent candidate can win the Ejisu Constituency.

    “We have a vibrant and energetic lawyer and we are strategically positioning the party to win this hands down,” he stated.

    “The facts are there; under President Kufuor, he was appointed at the Ministry of Highways as a director. Under Nana Akufo-Addo he was appointed as a deputy minister of roads…NPP gave him the opportunity to be an MP for 12 good years.”

  • MP raises concerns over National Security Coordinator’s involvement in partisan politics

    MP raises concerns over National Security Coordinator’s involvement in partisan politics

    Member of Parliament for Adaklu, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has voiced apprehension over the dual role of Edward Asomani, the National Security Coordinator, who has been named as the head of the security committee for the manifesto team of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s 2024 presidential bid.

    In a statement, Kwame Governs Agbodza has questioned the appropriateness of a high-ranking security official engaging in partisan political activities. Agbodza’s concern revolves around the potential conflict of interest that arises when a figure like Asomani, occupying a pivotal security position, assumes a leadership role within the political sphere.

    The controversy ignited when Asomani was identified as the head of the security committee within Vice President Bawumia’s manifesto team, as disclosed in a release from the Bawumia for President 2024 campaign on February 22nd. This revelation prompted Agbodza to challenge the integrity and impartiality of Asomani’s involvement in the political arena.

    Asomani’s appointment as National Security Coordinator in 2022 by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo marked a significant elevation in his career trajectory, transitioning from his prior role as deputy. His ascent to this critical security post underscores the gravity of Agbodza’s concerns, as it implies a responsibility to remain apolitical and prioritize national security interests above all else.

    The composition of the security committee further complicates matters, with notable figures from the defense and interior ministries, as well as a former interior minister and retired police chief, serving alongside Asomani. The inclusion of such esteemed individuals underscores the importance of maintaining a nonpartisan approach to matters of national security.

    Agbodza’s inquiry raises broader questions about the intersection of security and politics within Ghana’s governance structure. As the nation gears up for the 2024 presidential elections, the issue of impartiality and integrity within key government institutions becomes increasingly paramount.

    In response to Agbodza’s concerns, the Bawumia for President 2024 campaign emphasized Asomani’s credentials and leadership abilities within the security domain. However, the lingering skepticism surrounding Asomani’s simultaneous involvement in political affairs underscores the need for transparency and accountability in Ghana’s security apparatus.

  • National Security Ministry takes proactive measures to address increasing concerns regarding dangerous potholes on Spintex road

    National Security Ministry takes proactive measures to address increasing concerns regarding dangerous potholes on Spintex road

    The Human Security Department of the Ministry of National Security has taken proactive measures to address the increasing concerns surrounding hazardous potholes on the Spintex Road in Accra.

    This vital thoroughfare, connecting various neighborhood’s, has been plagued by deteriorating conditions, leading to a rise in accidents and commuter distress.

    Responding to numerous complaints and recognizing the urgent need for intervention, the National Security Ministry’s Human Security Department has initiated a comprehensive rehabilitation project.

    The focus extends beyond pothole repair to encompass crucial infrastructure improvements, ensuring the safe and efficient navigation of the road for all motorists.

    Commencing on Thursday, January 25, the rehabilitation project aims to be completed within ten working days.

    This swift action underscores the department’s commitment to prioritising public well-being and safety while minimising disruptions for commuters and residents.

    The initiative aligns with the department’s broader strategy, emphasising the fulfilment of fundamental community needs.

    By concentrating on enhancing vital infrastructure, the National Security Ministry aims to contribute to the overall improvement of transportation infrastructure, thereby enhancing the quality of life for residents and commuters.

    The National Security team underscores that this proactive approach not only addresses immediate challenges faced by motorists but also plays a vital role in resolving long-term road issues.

    The rehabilitation of the Spintex Road is seen as a crucial step toward ensuring safe and efficient transportation for all citizens, aligning with the Ministry’s commitment to human security and addressing the essential needs of the community.

  • Our security at stake due to persistent killings by military – Nunoo Mensah

    Our security at stake due to persistent killings by military – Nunoo Mensah

    A former National Security advisor, Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah, has expressed concern that the ongoing civilian casualties inflicted by the military pose a growing security threat.

    His remarks come in the wake of a military operation that the armed forces described as the neutralization of individuals engaged in a gun battle with them.

    This operation resulted in the death of three residents of Bawku, where soldiers had been deployed to maintain peace amid a renewed chieftaincy conflict.

    On January 19, 2024, reports surfaced that three residents were killed on the preceding night by soldiers, a claim denied by the military.

    According to the military’s statement, the fatal encounter occurred during a night foot patrol around Hasania School in Sabongari, where four gunmen opened fire on the officers.

    The military asserts that they returned fire, neutralizing three assailants, while the fourth managed to escape.

    In response to these incidents, the Ministry of Interior has revised the curfew hours for the Bawku municipality, now in effect from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.

    Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah, in an exclusive interview with TV3’s Beatrice Adu, attributed the killings to indiscipline within the military, which he linked to the recruitment of personnel from what he termed a “rotten society.”

    Addressing the security implications, Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah warned that the recurrent civilian killings could lead to broader security challenges. He emphasized that the military’s actions reflected the societal issues from which recruits are drawn.

    When asked if he considered the civilian deaths a security threat, he affirmed, stating that such incidents could provoke individuals, not necessarily from the military, to take matters into their own hands.

    Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry’s statement urged stakeholders in Bawku to exercise restraint and seek peaceful resolutions to the challenges facing the region. Additionally, it emphasized a total ban on carrying arms or ammunition in the Bawku Municipality and its surroundings, with violators subject to arrest and prosecution.

  • National Security gets new Deputy Coordinator

    National Security gets new Deputy Coordinator

    Dr Osei Bonsu Dickson, has been appointed as Deputy Coordinator for National Security.

    The appointment was made by President Akufo-Addo in recognition of his impressive 25-year career in national security operations and legal affairs.

    Prior to assuming this new role, Dr Dickson has held various leadership positions within the Ministry of National Security.

    Dr. Osei Bonsu Dickson has served in key roles such as Chief Legal Advisor, Director for Security Governance, Director for Legal, Director for Intelligence Analysis, and Director for Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the Ministry of National Security.

    He also contributed to various boards, including the Financial Intelligence Center (FIC), Africa Center for Strategic Studies, and the Ghana Boundary Commission (GhBC), among others.

    The appointment of Dr. Dickson has garnered positive reactions within the national security community, with experts expressing confidence in his experience and skills to advance national security initiatives.

  • Adopt proactive strategies to counter terrorism – Security expert to National Security

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

    “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. 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.

    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.

    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.

    “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.

    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.

    “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 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. 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.

    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.

  • National Security to revise strategy to preventing terrorist attacks in Ghana – Expert


    Security Policy Expert, Anthony Acquaye, affiliated with the Centre for Security Dialogue and Peace Advocacy, has urged the Ministry of National Security to adopt a proactive strategy in preventing potential terrorist attacks within the country.

    This call follows the recent arrest of individuals believed to be terrorists by the police in Burkina Faso on September 28, 2023. These alleged terrorists have reportedly been hiding in Fatchu, located in the Sissala West District of Ghana.

    In a statement, Anthony Acquaye emphasized the necessity of close collaboration and intelligence-sharing with neighboring countries, particularly Burkina Faso, to effectively address the shared threat of terrorism that impacts the entire sub-region.

    Highlighting the importance of robust border security, the expert stressed the need to fortify security measures along Ghana’s borders, especially in regions with porous borders.

    “Much as the security and intelligence architectures of the state are doing their best to safeguard citizens from the threat of terrorism, it is important to strengthen the country’s border security to prevent terrorists from entering the country.

    “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. 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.

    While recognizing Ghana’s security and intelligence services’ efforts to protect residents from terrorist threats, Anthoney Acquaye advocated for the adoption of comprehensive interoperable security measures and proactive intelligence networks across Ghana and its neighbors.

    “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.

    This approach, he said, will help the public to remain more alert of the danger, and the actual type of threats posed to them and to tell any suspicious activities to the state security agencies through an active phone number.

    Also, Security Policy Expert also criticized the Ministry for adopting a terrorism awareness slogan that he believes do not align with Ghana’s specific threat landscape.

    “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 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. 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.

    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.

  • “Over my dead body!” National Security Minister’s alleged threat to #FixTheCountry conveners revealed!

    “Over my dead body!” National Security Minister’s alleged threat to #FixTheCountry conveners revealed!

    One of the leader of the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has made shocking revelations about the government’s alleged attempts to suppress protests organised by the movement.

    In an interview with TV3 on Friday, September 22, 2023, Barker-Vormawor claimed that the National Security Minister, Kan Dapaah, had personally contacted him during his stay in the UK, inviting him back to Ghana for a discreet meeting, and allegedly also offering to cover his flight expenses.

    He also revealed that the minister had threatened to arrest and deal with him and his fellow protestors if they continued to mobilize citizens to demand better governance and accountability from the government.

    “We met at a safe house,” Barker-Vormawor revealed. According to him, government made an offer fraught with financial incentives and appointments, in a bid to entice him and his team into stopping their activism.

    In exchange for compliance, they were promised freedom to pursue their aspirations without restrictions. However, the government’s primary goal was to prevent citizens from taking to the streets.

    Rejecting the government’s offer with unwavering resolve, Barker-Vormawor said, he and his fellow activists stood firm in their commitment to the cause. This defiance, however, was met with a chilling threat from none other than the National Security Minister himself.

    Barker-Vormawor revealed that Kan Daaph had warned them that if they persisted with their course of action, they would face arrests and severe consequences.

    “We’re offered not only money, but appointment, that if we agree to stop this, we’re going to go, where we’re going to be free to do whatever we want. But the most important thing is not to bring citizens out onto the street. And when we rejected that, categorically, Kan Dapaah, the National Security Minister, said if we decide to continue on this course of action, we will be arrested and we’ll be dealt with and it’ll be over his dead body that any demonstrations happen. The government has tried every means possible to try to avoid us mobilizing as young people,” he said.

    This startling revelation has left many questioning the government’s approach to addressing the concerns of the youth. The #FixTheCountry movement has gained immense traction in recent times, with young people across the nation demanding transparency, accountability, and a brighter future.

    Government’s alleged attempts to stifle this movement have raised concerns about the state of democracy and freedom of expression in Ghana.

    The government has not yet responded to Barker-Vormawor’s allegations or to the demands of the protestors. However, some government officials have defended the police action and have criticised the protestors for being disruptive and uncivilised.

  • Palestinians specify conditions for approving historic Saudi-Israeli agreement

    Palestinians specify conditions for approving historic Saudi-Israeli agreement

    The Palestinians want a lot of money and more power over the land in the West Bank if the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Israel work together.

    Officials from the Palestinian Authority (PA) met with Saudi representatives in Riyadh on Wednesday for discussions.

    They were also going to meet American officials.

    Many people believe that for a long time, Americans have been working towards an important agreement to make Israel and Saudi Arabia have more normal and friendly relations.

    It means that Washington would support and financially back it, and it would involve an important agreement on security that the Saudis are trying to make with the US. However, there are many obstacles that make it difficult to reach these agreements, and they may not happen anytime soon.

    White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that we shouldn’t expect any immediate announcements or significant advancements in the near future.

    But, because there is potential for big changes in the relationships between countries in the Middle East, people are still wondering about the specific details of any agreement. American diplomats have been traveling to places like Riyadh, Amman, and Jerusalem to talk and negotiate with officials there.
    US President Joe Biden will probably view a Saudi-Israel agreement as a significant achievement in his foreign policy. He sees it as an opportunity to impress voters before the upcoming election next year.

    Saudi Arabia is a powerful country among the Arab and Muslim nations. It has never officially acknowledged Israel since it was formed in 1948.

    Last month, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that we are going to see a very important change in history.

    However, any agreement would be highly disputed and cause disagreement among people.

    Saudi Arabia wants advanced weapons from the US and a nuclear program that includes uranium enrichment in exchange for recognizing Israel.

    Israel wants to have good trade and defense relationships with the Gulf superpower and become more connected to the region. This is because they have been trying to integrate themselves into the area, which other Arab countries have also recently done.

    These agreements mostly deal with keeping things safe and assisting in buying and selling goods. In 2023, Saudi Arabia also wants to be part of this, according to Diana Buttu, a former legal adviser to the Palestinian negotiating team during peace talks with Israel.

    In order for an agreement to be successful, it must include significant compromises from Israel that benefit the Palestinians.

    Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who essentially runs the country, has to calm down the people of Saudi Arabia – who have traditionally not liked Israel and are very supportive of the Palestinian cause.

    Meanwhile, President Biden also needs to show that he has made important progress for the Palestinians in order to receive support from his Democratic Party. A lot of people in the party don’t like the idea of giving benefits to Saudi Arabia because of their bad human rights record and their involvement in the war in Yemen. They also don’t like the idea of giving a reward to Israel’s current government, which they think is making things worse in the West Bank and causing a lot of problems in Israel too.

    A group of important Palestinian officials, including two men who are very close to President Mahmoud Abbas, met with the Saudi national security adviser in Riyadh. The officials are Majed Faraj, the intelligence chief of the Palestinian Authority, and Hussein al-Sheikh, the secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

    They gave a list of things they wanted in order to participate in the American-supported process. This happened during a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf last week in Amman. The Palestinian official said to the BBC that they have some things they want, such as certain requests or requirements.

    Moving some areas of the West Bank, which are currently controlled completely by Israel (called Area C under Oslo peace agreements in the 1990s), to be governed by the Palestinian Authority.
    Israeli settlement growth in the West Bank coming to a full stop.
    Saudi Arabia is starting to give money again to the Palestinian Authority (PA) after reducing and stopping it completely three years ago. They will give around $200m (£160m) every year.
    The US consulate in Jerusalem, which was closed by President Donald Trump, will now be reopened. This consulate is a diplomatic office that works with the Palestinians.
    Starting again the discussions between Israel and the Palestinians that were put on hold by former Secretary of State John Kerry in 2014, with the help of the US.

    These changes are very important – the Americans think that the Palestinians are asking for too much. But the unofficial Palestinian stance on Saudi-Israel normalisation is very different from their official position. The official position is that they completely reject normalisation unless it leads to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

    This text talks about the Arab Peace Initiative, a plan from Saudi Arabia in 2002. The plan offered to recognize Israel if Israel gives back the territories it took and allows Palestine to have their own state in the West Bank and Gaza, with its capital in East Jerusalem.

    MsButtu says that the current approach shows that the Palestinian leadership is in a difficult situation.

    “Palestinians mostly do not want to participate in any of these normalization deals because the support from the Arab world is the only thing we have left,” she explained.

    We were told that we cannot fight back using violence. We are informed that we cannot use the law to ask for the occupation to stop. “We are being told that we are not allowed to participate in boycotts, divestment, and sanction actions. ”

    The Palestinian Authority is now considering whether they should try to make their demands heard and achieved or continue to ignore them like they did in 2020. Regardless of what they choose, Ms. Buttu believes they will fail either way.

    In 2020, three Arab nations – the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco – made agreements to have normal relations with Israel. These deals were arranged by the United States, led by President Trump. Another country, Sudan, also promised to work towards having a friendly relationship with Israel that same year. But things stopped because people in the country disagreed, and then there was a military takeover the next year.

    This was considered a big change in the relationship between old enemies in the Middle East. It included improvements in diplomacy, trade, and security connections. But people who criticize the situation pointed out that the United States also offered tempting benefits, such as giving Arab autocratic governments access to high-quality weapons made in America.

    At the time, the Palestinian Authority was excluded from talks because it refused to have diplomatic relations with the United States. This was in response to President Trump’s peace plan that heavily favored Israel and his decision to relocate the US embassy to Jerusalem. The PA thought that the normalisation deals were a betrayal of unity among Arab countries.

    Instead, another important Palestinian leader suggested that engaging with the Saudis at this time could be a way to remind Riyadh about the Arab Peace Initiative’s main goal – which is the creation of a separate Palestinian state. This way, the Palestinians wouldn’t be left out of the entire process.

    However, if the Palestinian leadership decides to get involved, it may face major risks because they are already disliked by their own people. This is especially true if the benefits of getting involved are seen as unimportant or insignificant.

    After the UAE-Israel normalization in 2020, most Palestinians believed that the deal was a betrayal of their cause and only benefited Israel.

    If Israel gives in to the Palestinians, the ultranationalists in Mr. Netanyahu’s group will likely say no, which will make it even harder to reach an agreement. Earlier this year, Mr. Netanyahu ignored the concessions made by the Palestinians, considering them just as something to mark off a list. He believed these concessions would not be included in any meaningful discussions between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

  • Two Belarus border crossings shut down by Lithuania

    Two Belarus border crossings shut down by Lithuania

    Two of Lithuania’s six border crossings with Belarus will be closed.

    Starting on Friday, there won’t be any commercial vehicle traffic at the two remote crossing sites.

    The administration claimed that the decision was made in reaction to smuggling, threats to national security, and changes in the geopolitical environment.

    Since Minsk provided shelter to fighters from Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Belarus’ western neighbours have tightened security.

    This was a provision of a deal Wagner made to put a stop to a brief mutiny in Russia in June.

    The Tverecius and Sumskas crossings will be blocked, according to the Lithuanian government, and traffic will be redirected to Medininkai, one of its six checkpoints.

    The closures were just temporary, according to deputy minister of transport Agn Vaiciukeviciute, who spoke to the Associated Press.

    Additionally, Poland has severely restricted entry from Belarus, and on Tuesday, Latvia ordered border reinforcements.

    For the benefit of both his own citizens and the rest of Europe, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karin said Belarus needed to understand that his nation was serious about defending its borders.

    This summer, we have observed that Belarus has been exerting growing pressure rather than lessening, according to Mr. Karin.

    “We are merely stepping up our presence and making it abundantly clear to both our own society and the Belarusian government that this is no joke,” the group stated.

    Following an alleged invasion by Belarusian military helicopters, Poland declared last week that it was deploying 10,000 additional troops to its border with Belarus.

    After Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned that Wagner militants could pose as migrants and enter the EU, Belarus’ government has pledged to help protect against mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group who have moved there.

    Since June, when Wagner’s mutiny questioned President Vladimir Putin’s authority, worries have grown among Belarus’ neighbours. Belarus is a staunch ally of Russia.

    A compromise put an end to a 24-hour uprising that saw the troops seize Rostov in southern Russia and advance on Moscow before stopping their advance barely 200 kilometres (124 miles) from the capital.

    According to the deal, Wagner fighters had the option of joining the regular Russian army or relocating to Belarus.

  • Major grain-producing region in China struck by deadly floods

    Major grain-producing region in China struck by deadly floods

    In China’s main grain-producing region in the northeast, days of torrential rain have resulted in severe flooding that has killed 14 people and raised questions about food security as floodwaters flooded farmlands.

    Since late July, typhoon Doksuri’s aftermath has pounded northern China, forcing more than a million people to flee their homes and killing at least 30 people in the Hebei province and Beijing’s suburbs.

    Another 14 fatalities were recorded on Sunday in the city of Shulan in the province of Jilin as the storm advanced further north.

    Three local officials, including the deputy mayor of the city, were among the deceased after being swept away by floodwater during last week’s rescue efforts, according to a statement from Shulan authorities. It noted that there was still a missing official.

    Shulan has been cleared for evacuation, according to state-run news agency Xinhua.

    State media said that rivers in Heilongjiang, a neighbouring province, that water its fertile farmlands overflowed, burying rice fields, ruining vegetable greenhouses, and harming enterprises.

    According to Heilongjiang authorities, 25 rivers in the province have reached warning levels and are in danger of overflowing.

    The third most urgent level in a four-tier emergency response system, Level 3 was declared on Sunday by China’s Ministry of Water Resources for the provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang.

    According to People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, over 162,000 people had to be evacuated from Harbin, the provincial capital of Heilongjiang, and over 90,000 hectares of crops were destroyed by floodwater.

    The biggest rainfall Shangzhi has seen in more than 60 years caused the destruction of more than 42,575 hectares of crops, according to Xinhua.

    Authorities in the city of Wuchang, another important rice-producing metropolis in Heilongjiang, are still calculating the damage after numerous villages and substantial tracts of farmland were also inundated there.

    As extreme weather events linked to climate change pose growing dangers to China’s agricultural and food resources, concerns about the possible effects on food security in the second-largest economy in the world have increased.

    The three northeastern most provinces, Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning, are referred to as China’s granary since they produce more than one fifth of the nation’s grain production due to the area’s fertile black soil. The main crops grown there are rice, maize and soybeans.

    Typhoons Khanun and Doksuri brought heavy rainstorms last week, which the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said would have a “severe impact” on China’s agricultural output.

    The destruction of the rice fields in northeast China followed the flooding of Henan Province, another significant grain-growing region that supplies nearly a third of the nation’s wheat, by severe rains in late May.

    According to official media, the Henan authorities claimed that the flooding there was the region’s most disastrous rain event for wheat output in the previous ten years.

    According to the National Bureau of Statistics, those downpours, which occurred just before the harvest, caused a 0.9 percent decrease in China’s output of summer wheat this year, the first decrease in seven years.

    Family saved in risky attempt from typhoon flood waters

    According to authorities from the China Meteorological Administration, the subsequent heat waves that scorched much of northern China and broke temperature records in June brought droughts that impeded the growth of young crops like maize and soybeans.

    These blows to China’s agriculture industry are anticipated to have a short-term impact on food prices, which had been largely stable in recent months. This is largely because deflationary risks have been growing in China’s economy, which contrasts sharply with the continuing struggle with inflation in much of the rest of the world.

    China removed anti-dumping penalties on imports of Australian barley last week. These tariffs were put in place in 2020 during the height of diplomatic hostilities between the two nations.

    During the summer of 2022, China endured its worst heat wave and drought in decades, which led to widespread power outages and disrupted the supply lines for food and industry.

    Beijing has since increased its emphasis on food security. Agriculture, according to Chinese President Xi Jinping, is the cornerstone of national security.

    When agriculture experiences a problem, our bowls will be held in someone else’s hands, and we will be forced to rely on others for our food. In that case, how can modernization be accomplished? He made this statement in an article that appeared in the Communist Party’s primary theoretical journal, Qiushi, in March.

  • A WO was handcuffed, assaulted by National Security ‘boys’ in Michelle Camp – Sam George narrates

    A WO was handcuffed, assaulted by National Security ‘boys’ in Michelle Camp – Sam George narrates

    It appears civilians are not the only people who have been at the mercy of National Security Operatives as some security officers have had their share of brutalities meted out by these men of whom most are believed to be ‘party boys.’

    Member of Parliament of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, has recounted a chilling incident of assault meted out against a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer who was later identified as WO1 Mashud Salia.

    “Under this government, we have seen National Security boys, party apparatchik,  pull a warrant officer out of his vehicle, handcuff him, and assault him, at Michelle camp.

    He made the remarks during an interview on Good Morning Ghana on Metro TV where he stated that this is a threat to the country’s security.

    Background 

    In November 2020, WO1 Mashud Salia was allegedly physically assaulted and handcuffed whilst in uniform over his inability to give way to a convoy of four vehicles.

    The event, according to The Chronicle newspaper, happened on the Tema-Akosombo highway at the Ashaiman Tulaku section.

    The shocking incident which occurred on Wednesday, November 25 is said to have attracted a large crowd of commuters and motorists alike, who watched in disbelief as the soldier who is said to be a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) at the nearby First Battalion of Infantry was receiving slaps from the alleged National Security Operatives.

    Narrating what occasioned the unfortunate incident, the Chronicle wrote “on Wednesday, November 25 at about 08:30hrs, when traffic was heavy on the stretch, the soldier, Warrant Officer Class One ( W O 1) Mashud Salia, was driving his saloon car towards Michel Camp.

    Upon negotiating the Ashaiman roundabout, a siren-blowing convoy of four high speeding vehicles approached from his rear, forcing their way through the middle of the tight traffic.”

    The Chronicle further explained that according to eyewitnesses, “the WO attempted parking off the road to give way to the convoy, but the road was so narrow that his very life and that of other motorists was at stake, so he continued in the lane. Suddenly, the lead vehicle blocked that of the soldier, and armed men alighted from the other vehicles and started to slap him behind the steering wheel and afterwards pulled him out.”

    The armed men who allegedly assaulted the soldier were described as wearing brown khakis and armed. They later handcuffed the soldier and shoved him into one of their vehicles and drove to Michel Camp and handed him over to the authorities there.

  • Ghana denies forcing out Burkinabe refugees amid UNHCR alarm

    Ghana denies forcing out Burkinabe refugees amid UNHCR alarm


    The Ministry of National Security has issued a press release to refute reports of a deliberate and targeted operation, spearheaded by the Ghana Armed Forces, to forcibly repatriate Burkinabe refugees from Ghana.

    The Ministry said the reports were false and should be disregarded by all.

    “The Ministry refutes such claims and wishes to state that Ghana is committed to accommodating Burkinabe nationals who have been displaced into the Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana due to the prevailing security situation in southern Burkina Faso,” parts of the release from the Ministry of National Security said.

    The Ministry explained that through collaboration with the Ghana Refugee Board and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a temporary reception centre had been established in the Upper East Region, capable of holding an estimated 2,100 displaced people from Burkina Faso.

    It said at the moment, 530 displaced Burkinabes were being accommodated at the reception centre.

    “Additionally, Ghanaian official entities ensure that the displaced persons have access to free food and medical care.

    “Also, as part of measures to enhance containment efforts, a 30-acre land has been acquired for the establishment of housing facilities to host displaced persons,” the release added.

    The Ministry of National Security noted that contrary to the false reports that displaced Burkinabes were being forced out of Ghana, a repatriation process had been instituted at the reception centre to aid the movement of Burkinabes who wished to return to their country.

    The repatriation process according to the Ministry was consistent with international protocols on the management of refugees and had so far, been implemented in collaboration with Burkinabe Immigration Authorities along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border.


    Read the full release below: 

    PRESS RELEASE
    The Ministry of National Security has taken note of media reports and publications that suggest a deliberate and targeted operation, spearheaded by the Ghana Armed Forces, to forcibly repatriate Burkinabe refugees from Ghana.

    The Ministry refutes such claims and wishes to state that Ghana is committed to accommodating Burkinabe nationals who have been displaced into the Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana due to the prevailing security situation in southern Burkina Faso.

    The Ministry, in collaboration with the Ghana Refugee Board and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has accordingly established a temporary reception centre in the Upper East Region, capable of holding an estimated Two thousand, one hundred (2,100) displaced people from Burkina Faso.

    Currently, five hundred and thirty (530) displaced Burkinabes are being accommodated at the reception centre. Additionally, Ghanaian official entities ensure that the displaced persons have access to free food and medical care. Also, as part of measures to enhance containment efforts, a 30-acre land has been acquired for the establishment of housing facilities to host displaced persons.

    Contrary to claims that displaced Burkinabes are being forced out of Ghana, a repatriation process has been instituted at the reception centre to aid the movement of Burkinabes who wish to return to their country. The repatriation process is consistent with international protocols on the management of refugees and has so far, been implemented in collaboration with Burkinabe Immigration Authorities along the GhanaBurkina Faso border.

    The Government of Ghana, while reaffirming its determination to safeguard the peace, stability and territorial integrity of the country, and promote the welfare of the citizens of the country, would continue to undertake the necessary operations without compromising values, such as respect for human rights, including the rights of refugees and displaced persons from neighbouring countries.

  • ‘See-something-say-something’ initiative intensified

    ‘See-something-say-something’ initiative intensified

    The Ministry of National Security is actively promoting its “see something, say something” campaign in the Upper East Region‘s border communities to prevent the infiltration of violent extremists into the country.

    The campaign’s primary objective is to raise awareness and alertness among community members, encouraging them to report any suspicious individuals residing in their communities to security agencies. This collective effort aims to combat the threat posed by violent extremists.

    Head of Client Services at the Ministry of National Security, emphasized the importance of vigilance and security consciousness among community members in border areas. She encouraged the sharing of intelligence with security agencies as a means to effectively address the menace of violent extremism.

    “It has become important because of what is happening in our neighbouring countries—Togo, Burkina Faso, and the like. As we all know, about two weeks ago, we had an influx of refugees coming in. We can’t be sure who is coming in, even though some come in with the status of refugees. You can’t look at someone’s face and tell their intentions. That’s why we need to sensitize them to be aware of the dangers that come with this. And their roles as citizens to help safeguard national security.”

    Mrs. Sekyere voiced her concern about the high number of prank calls received by the Ministry and urged Ghanaians to contact them solely when they observe genuinely suspicious activities or individuals.

    “The whole idea of the campaign is for people to report suspicious activities. So, if you call without a valid report, it means you’re preventing someone else from getting through. Because sometimes the calls are queued. If you’re on the line and someone at the call center is attending to you, someone else will be waiting. You know how the system works. We’ve all heard the jingles.

    She added, “Patience will run out for whoever is calling to volunteer that information. So, we try to discourage people from calling when they don’t have anything valid to say. The system works, that point is emphasized. It’s not a trial-and-error system. The call center works 24/7 effectively, and we have people on night and day duty. So, there’s no point calling to find out if the call center is really operational or not. That’s why we’re pleading with Ghanaians to stop pranking by asking if they can get some call credit. It’s time we took this seriously. This is a national assignment. It has no political affiliation or anything like that. You owe it as a duty, and I owe it as a duty to help safeguard national security.”

  • Hong Kong police criticised for paying fugitive democracy advocates bounty

    Hong Kong police criticised for paying fugitive democracy advocates bounty

    Eight famous democracy campaigners were given $1 million ($127,603) rewards by Hong Kong police on Monday. This action was widely rebuked by rights organisations and Western countries.

    The activists, which include former MPs Nathan Law, Dennis Kwok, and Ted Hui, have been charged with offences related to national security, such as colluding with foreign powers and subverting the government.

    Many of the activists have persisted in speaking out against Beijing’s alleged onslaught on the liberties and autonomy of their home city since departing Hong Kong in recent years.

    The group of seven men and one woman are now based in the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia – countries that have suspended their extradition treaties with Hong Kong due to concerns of the controversial national security law.

    The sweeping law was imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong in 2020, after huge pro-democracy protests roiled the semi-autonomous city in the previous year. It criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign powers and carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

    Critics say the legislation has been used to crush the city’s opposition movement, overhaul its electoral system, silence its outspoken media and cripple its once-vibrant civil society. Many of Hong Kong’s prominent pro-democracy figures have either been detained or fled into self-imposed exile.

    The Hong Kong government has repeatedly denied the national security law is suppressing freedoms. Instead, it insists the law has ended chaos and restored stability to the city.

    On Monday, police told a press conference 260 people had been arrested under the national security law, with 79 of them convicted for offenses including subversion and terrorism.

    Senior Superintendent Steve Li, with the police national security department, told reporters police had obtained arrest warrants from the court for the eight activists.

    “We’re absolutely not staging any show or spreading terror. We’re enforcing the law,” he said.

    The move was condemned by the United States, Britainand Australia, whose governments urged Hong Kong to withdraw the bounty offer and expressed concern about the targeting of democratic figures.

    The non-profit organization Human Rights Watch also lambasted the national security law as creating a “veneer of legitimacy in wiping out Hong Kong people’s human rights,” urging democratic governments to offer greater protections to activists in exile or impose more sanctions on the Hong Kong government.

    The city’s leader, John Lee, a former police officer and security chief, rebuked these criticisms on Tuesday – and warned the exiled activists to surrender themselves or face “living in fear every day.”

    Kevin Yam, a lawyer who is among the eight targeted, said he had been “flooded with congratulations” for having the “honor to be on the list” since the police press conference Monday.

    “I feel no joy over this, but feel sad for Hong Kong that people now see things this way, because it is an indication of how low Hong Kong has gone in the eyes of many,” he told CNN from Australia.

    Law, now based in Britain, said in a statement that while the news was stressful and meant he’d have to be more careful while traveling, it didn’t come as a surprise. He criticized the national security law as being used to “suppress dissenting voices,” and reiterated his hope for Hong Kong to one day gain full democracy.

    “I am just a Hong Konger speaking out for Hong Kongers – that’s all,” he said, and urged the public not to cooperate with the bounty offer. “We should not silence or limit ourselves, we should not be politically intimidated or blackmailed, or live in fear.”

    Anna Kwok, also one of the exiled activists named on Monday, wrote on Twitter that the photo published by police was one she’d taken at 18 years old for her ID card.

    “The 18-year-old me would never have thought the photo would be publicized globally in an arrest warrant (with a bounty) 8 years later,” she wrote.

    In a longer statement, Kwok, who is now based in the US, said the move was “clearly” meant to intimidate pro-democracy supporters and encourage “further purges” of remaining activists.

  • Residents of Daboya calls for the redrawal of police from their community

    Residents of Daboya calls for the redrawal of police from their community

    The Wasipe Youth Forum, a group based in the North Gonja District of the Savanna Region, is urgently requesting the National Security to withdraw the police presence in the Daboya community.

    Following a recent raid that resulted in the arrest of four suspects, in addition to the previous arrest of 118 individuals this month, the concerned youth took to the streets of Daboya to express their discontent.

    They burned tires as a form of demonstration, highlighting their dissatisfaction with the ongoing arrests and what they perceive as ongoing mistreatment and abuse of residents.

    “Their Rambo style of arresting innocent residents is unprofessional and an outright infringement on our human rights and the National Peace Council must intervene,” the group said.

    “We believe in our minds that the some big names at the presidency are hiding behind camera to sponsor the rift between Gonjas and Mamprusis.

    “The torture and brutality meted out to our people by the police is an indication they have the backing of some big wigs.

    “We are saddened that till now the security despite all the ill treatment and brutality imposed on the people, cannot tell the reason for their actions.”

    The Lukula and Mempeasem communities were totally burnt following a renewed land dispute between Gonjas and Mamprusis.

    The lands around the two communities fall under the Wasipe Traditional Area and the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region.

  • At least 20 children murdered as fire burns a dormitory

    At least 20 children murdered as fire burns a dormitory

    In Guyana, a school dormitory fire has resulted in at least 20 child fatalities and an undetermined number of student injuries.

    The Guyanese government reported that the fire broke out shortly after midnight at a secondary school in Mahdia, a town some 120 miles south-west of Georgetown, that primarily educates indigenous students.

    In a statement, it also mentioned that at least seven kids had been transported by air to the capital for medical attention.

    Heavy thunderstorms in the vicinity were hampering attempts to completely evacuate the area and look into the occurrence.

    National Security Adviser Gerald Gouveia said the weather was making life hard for those travelling by air to the scene.

    He said: ‘It was a battle for us, the pilots were very brave, very determined.’

    Local newspaper Stabroek News reported that the fire broke out in a girls’ dormitory.

    A statement from the government’s department for public information said: ‘It is with heavy heart and pain that the cabinet is being briefed and kept updated on a horrific fire at the dormitory in Mahdia.

    ‘All efforts are being made to have a full-scale medical evacuation-supported response.

    ‘However, the inclement weather and heavy overcast condition are posing severe challenges to this exercise.

    ‘The Ministry of Health and the Joint Services are collaborating to address the situation.

    ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with our children and their families at this time. We will continue to update as information becomes available.’

  • Two killed and nine injured as truck ran into pedestrians

    Two killed and nine injured as truck ran into pedestrians

    In Canada, a truck that struck a crowd resulted in the deaths of two persons and the injury of further people.

    At 3 p.m. local time on Monday, police were called to the site in the northern Quebec town of Amqui.

    After handing himself in to the police, the car’s 38-year-old local driver was taken into custody.

    Sergeant Helene St-Pierre confirmed the two people killed were both men, one in his 60s and the other in his 70s.

    A police car and a Transport Quebec truck guard the perimeter of a fatal accident, in Amqui, Quebec, Monday, March 13, 2023. Two men died after a pickup truck plowed into pedestrians beside a road, although a senior Canadian official rapidly ruled out a terrorism attack or a national security incident. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press via AP)
    A police car and a Transport Quebec truck guard the perimeter of the crash (Picture: AP)
    A police officer and a fireman check the perimeter of a fatal accident, in Amqui, Quebec, Monday, March 13, 2023. Two men died after a pickup truck plowed into pedestrians beside a road, although a senior Canadian official rapidly ruled out a terrorism attack or a national security incident. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press via AP)
    Police officers and firefighters rushed to the scene in the afternoon (Picture: AP)

    Among the injured, two suffered serious injuries and the seven more were being evaluated.

    Ms St-Pierre said investigators and accident reconstruction experts were working to establish the circumstances of the crash.

    ‘Everything indicates it was an isolated incident, and that there is no more danger in the area, and there is just one suspect,’ she said.

    The incident happened along St-Benoit Boulevard in Amqui, a town about 220 miles northeast of Quebec City.

    A baby stroller lies on its side by police tape on the site of a fatal accident, in Amqui, Quebec, Monday, March 13, 2023. Two men died after a pickup truck plowed into pedestrians beside a road, although a senior Canadian official rapidly ruled out a terrorism attack or a national security incident. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press via AP)
    A baby stroller lies on its side by police tape (Picture: AP)
    In this image provided by CTV News, first responders work the scene where two men died after a pickup truck plowed into pedestrians who were walking beside a road in Amqui, Quebec, Monday, March 13, 2023. (CTV News via AP)
    Authorities have not yet confirmed a motive (Picture: AP)

    Pictures show large police presence at the scene, which was cordoned off with police tape. A baby stroller can also be see overturned on its side.

    The regional health board confirmed that a ‘code orange’ had been declared at the Amqui hospital, which generally indicates a situation with a high number of casualties.

    Meanwhile, an anonymous senior government official familiar with the matter said the incident was not terrorism or national security related.

    Authorities have not yet mentioned any motive. It comes just a month after a man driving a city bus deliberately smashed into a daycare centre in Laval, killing two children.

  • ‘Let’s work to avert violent extremism

    ‘Let’s work to avert violent extremism

    The Principal Analyst for the National Counter Terrorism and Fusion Centre of the Ministry of National Security, Dr Baba Sayuti, has cautioned that the threat of eminent terrorist attack on the country calls for an all-inclusive approach by all state actors to combat the threat.

    “Ghana, in recent times, faces looming threat from violent extremists following increased activities of terrorist groups in the Sahel and the West Africa sub region, especially its neighbour­ing countries of Burkina Faso and Mali but Burkina Faso, for instance, is said to have accounted for 58 per cent of all terrorist attacks recorded in the Sahel Region in 2021,” he said.

    Dr Sayuti explained that threats of terrorist attack on the country had reached an alarming level, but the lack of collaboration among state agencies and institu­tions especially security agencies over the years had allowed terror­ist groups to exploit such gaps to carry out their operations.

    Speaking at a National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) dialogue on ‘Violent Ex­tremism, Prevention and Contain­ment in Accra, he observed that after 9/11, the world realised that there was a gap between state agen­cies in the area of collaboration but despite the might and resources of the US they were attacked and attributed that to institutions not working together.

    The objective of the nation­al dialogue was to engage all key stakeholders to build strong coalition to prevent spillover of violent extremism, terrorism into the country, provide an experience sharing platform to build synergies, share best practices and reduce duplication of activities.

    It forms part of a series of activities the Commission has undertaken in its implementation of the Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) proj­ect, funded by the European Union Rapid Response team.

    Afua Lamptey, Deputy Pro­gramme Head, Conflict Man­agement Programme, Faculty of Economic Affairs, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre, stated that arms proliferation in the sub region and Ghana in particular remained a major setback to the fight against violent extremism and was estimated that one billion firearms were in circulation.

    Kathleen Addy, Chairperson of NCCE, recommended adoption of multidimensional approach to reduce the threat since the threat the nation faced could not be addressed in isolation as it formed part of bigger global network of dangerous non-state actors determined to destabilise vulnera­ble States, seize control of natural resources as well as territories.

    Colonel Kelvin Merdiemah, Director, National Centre for Coordination and Early Warning Mechanism, stressed the need for timely dissemination of early warning alerts to inform the citi­zenry on measures to take.

  • We’ll not shield anyone found guilty – Lands Commission

    We’ll not shield anyone found guilty – Lands Commission

    The Land Commission has promised not to shield any staff who is found to have been engaged in any act of illegality, assuring that any staff whose actions are deemed to be in contravention of the law will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for the law to take its course.

    In a press release issued on Wednesday, March 1, the Lands Commission detailed how internal investigations it embarked on led to the uncovering of a GH¢100 million misappropriation by some staff members.

    It disclosed that the investigations form part of efforts to ensure an effective land administration system and reduce corruption and other forms of illegalities.

    It promised to collaborate with National Security and relevant institutions to ensure that the staff members are dealt with in accordance with the law.

    “The Commission wishes to state emphatically that the investigations leading to the arrest and/or prosecution of some staff of the Commission, as well as the ongoing investigations, were at the instance of the Management of the Commission.

    “This is part of the Commission’s broader efforts to protect the integrity of the Commission and protect the interest of clients who access the services of the Commission, and the country at large,” parts of the statement read.

    “The Commission wants to assure the general public that it will not shield any staff of the Commission, and will continue to work with the national security apparatus to ensure that all persons found culpable in this matter are made to face the full rigors of the law.

    “We wish to assure Ghanaians that the Commission, under the current administration, is committed to efficient and effective land administration that is anchored on the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and candor, in the public interest.

    The Commission also confirmed during a press conference that it is in the process of setting up a robust system software for its dealings after some staff was busted for stealing GH¢100 million from their previous in-house made open system.

    Deputy Executive Secretary, Jones Ofori-Boadu explained how rigorous the new system will be designed to deal with incidents of thievery, adding that they await approval from the Finance Ministry to commence the process of implementing the system.

    “What we are going to do is to make sure that, that platform is a very robust platform that will sit on an enterprise proprietary software system. And that platform should be more robust than the one we developed in-house which was sitting on an open source. So that is the decision management has taken and I’m sure very soon…we are at the point of getting approval from the Ministry of finance. And once we get that the process will kick start.”

    He further stated that the software has components that will aid the management to transfer manual data into a digital format.

    “…It comes in different components and one of the components is dealing with the development of a system which is the software we will be using to move all the data from the manual to the digital environment.”

    The Land Commission also confirmed that 10 of its employees have been interdicted out of the 16 people busted by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).

    Background

    National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) officials reportedly arrested 16 people involved in stealing about 500 draft cheques meant for the Land Commission of Ghana.

    According to a news report by the Daily Guide newspaper, the 16 suspects were part of a 21-member syndicate involved in stealing cheques worth around GH¢100 million belonging to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

    The report indicated that the suspects were arrested between January 2023 and February 2023 after a petition was filed against them for crimes they committed from 2021 to 2023.

  • Selling SoEs to private investors a threat to national security – Internal Audit Agency boss

    Selling SoEs to private investors a threat to national security – Internal Audit Agency boss

    The Director General of the Internal Audit Agency, Dr Eric Oduro Osae, has explained why some State Owned Enterprises (SoEs) cannot be sold to private entities, despite challenges they are bedeviled with.

    He says some SoEs cannot be sold to private investors due to national security implications.

    Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, he said such enterprises provide critical services that cannot be left in private hands.

    “Some of these SoEs are critical, we cannot hand them over to private investors because of the national security implications of the work they do”

    “Can you imagine handing over ECG to a private investor, you may not know where the resources are coming from, handing over VRA to a private investor, handing over BUI to a private investor, handing over GRIDCO to a private investor, this is not to say some private investors are not critical,” he said on Tuesday.

    Dr Oduro added that even though some countries have succeeded in implementing this initiative, the level of security involved in the work may differ.

    “It will depend on the level of national security, because in our case if you hand it over and you get somebody from a certain country coming to get a certain amount in it, they will hold all of us hostage”, he said.

    However, CEO of Dalex Finance, Kenneth Thompson, had a different view.

    He described Dr Oduro Osae’s argument as based on emotions.

    According to him, if the developed countries have tried it and succeeded, Ghana can imitate.

    “Are we more intelligent than some other countries?  I mean their modules have worked let’s learn from it,” Mr Thompson indicated.

    About a week ago, the Minister for Public Enterprises in Ghana, Joseph Cudjoe announced that 12 State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) have been submitted to cabinet for approval to be sold to private investors.

    The initiative is part of the government’s plan to restructure the economy, by making the SoEs more efficient, profitable and less of a drain on public resources.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • National Security operative allegedly beats wife to pulp for chatting man on Facebook

    National Security operative allegedly beats wife to pulp for chatting man on Facebook

    The family of a 44-year-old woman who was allegedly physically assaulted by her husband, a National Security operative, is calling on the Inspector General of Police to come to their aid to ensure that the man is prosecuted.

    The woman, Habiba Halid, who is now seeking refuge in her family house at Ablekuma Oduman, explained in an interview with GhOne TV that her husband, Ibrahim Mohammed, alias Figo, beat her up because she was chatting with an online friend.

    She explained that on the day she was assaulted (January 20, 2023), the man walked in on her having a chat on her phone with the said friend on Facebook.

    Confronted, she told him that the person she was chatting with was only a friend she knows on the microblogging site and that he was not even in the country.

    She continued that he actually followed up to chat with the person to confirm but he returned not convinced by the answers he received.

    Habiba, a mother of 4, added that her husband then threatened her life.

    “I’m feeling pains all over my body and my head. My teeth; I can’t chew food properly. I have never cheated on him since we got married; I have never. He was even asking, who is that friend and where did I meet him? I said I just met him on Facebook. And he asked me where is the friend living and I said the friend is not even in Ghana; he’s just a friend.

    “And he confronted the guy and the guy told him that we are just friends. He used a knife to threaten me too, so, he said I should pack my things if I don’t want to be dead in his house,” she narrated.

    According to Habiba, who currently has blood clots in both eyes and on her left shoulder following the severe punching her husband, Ibrahim Mohammed, gave her, the assault started long before their marriage 10 years ago.

    She also accused him of insecurity and non-communication, adding that this compelled her to fall on friends on social media for companionship.

    “Men used to approach me and so he got jealous and then he started doing those things. Even before this one happened, he used to beat me… when people wanted to help me, he scared them away,” she added.

    On the part of her family, where she is currently seeking refuge at, they want the law to take its course.

    They appealed that the police will come in and ensure that they get justice for their sister and relative.

    “Right now, we are only pleading with the IGP; we want him to intervene for us because we don’t know what is going to happen,” one of her relatives told GhOne TV.

    The matter has since been reported to the Amasaman branch of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service for legal action.

  • Court orders National Security, Attorney General, and IGP to apologise to ModernGhana editor

    Court orders National Security, Attorney General, and IGP to apologise to ModernGhana editor

    The Accra High Court has instructed three government institutions to apologize to Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri, editor of the news portal ModernGhana.com, for breaches of human rights.

    The parties in the case filed terms which were adopted by the Human Rights Division Court 2.

    In a judgment obtained by myjoyonline.com, the presiding Judge, Justice Nicholas Abodakpi held by the terms of settlement had been adopted by the court.

    In July 2019, Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri, the Applicant, sued the National Security Coordinator, Inspector General of Police and Attorney General as Respondents for violation of his human rights.

    The judgement ordered that the respondents shall issue an apology to the applicant and have the same published in the Daily Graphic within 14 days of the adoption of the terms of the settlement.

    The respondents are also to pay compensation, and legal fees and shall pay for gadgets that were seized from the applicant including a laptop, two mobile phones and a tablet.

    Arrest, detention and torture 

    On June 27, 2019, gun-wielding operatives of National Security arrested Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri and his reporter Emmanuel Britwum at their offices.

    The officers whisked them into a black van, strapped their heads in black polythene bags and sped off.

    Their laptops and mobiles were confiscated and they were subjected to interrogation at National Security offices.

    Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri, the Editor of the online news portal, Modernghana.com, later told the media he was subjected to electric shock and other forms of torture whiles in detention.

    The interrogation was on two articles the website published on the National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah.

    The National Security Council Secretariat denied it tortured the journalist.

    The Ministry said the journalists were picked up for allegedly engaging in cybercrimes.

    On July 5, 2019 State prosecutors filed cybercrime charges against Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri and two other journalists, Emmanuel Britwum reporter of ModernGhana.com and Obeng Manu Editor of Peace FM for alleged unlawful access to an email account belonging to a local radio station Peace FM.

    However, the state was forced by the Accra High Court to drop charges the first day the journalists appeared in court.

    This was after the Judge, Afia Asare Botwe, pointed out errors and turned down appeals by Senior State Attorney Stella Ohene Appiah because what the state wanted to court to do was without legal backing.

    Lawyers for the accused, led by Samson Lardy Anyenini, had said the criminal case was a face-saving act that was doomed at inception.

    Ajarfor sues National Security Coordinator and two others for torture

    On July 11, 2019, Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri instituted legal action against the National Security Coordinator, the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General for the torture he suffered at the hands of the national security operatives.

    He prayed the Human Rights Division of the High Court to direct the Attorney-General to find, name and subject the National Security Coordinator and the officials, who were directly or indirectly involved in human rights violations against him, to criminal prosecution or punishment.

    He also prayed the court to order the immediate and unconditional release and surrender of all seized items to him.

    The application for the enforcement of Mr Ajarfor’s fundamental human rights was filed on his behalf by Samson Lardy Anyenini who was working with a legal team including Dr Justice Srem Sai and Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo.

  • EOCO retrieves stolen US, Canada cars in Ghana

    The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has retrieved thirty-seven vehicles suspected to have been stolen from the United States of America (USA) and Canada.

    The exercise which was carried out in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), was based on an intelligence-led operation.

    In a press statement, EOCO said these vehicles were retrieved from some garages in Ghana, on December 9, 2022 and the suspects have since been questioned and granted bail.

    “The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), carried out an intelligence-led operation for the retrieval of various specifications of luxury vehicles suspected to have been stolen from the United States of America (USA) and Canada.

    “On Friday December 9 2022, thirty-seven (37) of such vehicles were retrieved from some garages in Accra during which ten (10) persons were arrested. The suspects have since been questioned and granted enquiry bail,” the statement further added.

    EOCO’s statement comes following allegations by some importers of used vehicles that the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and National Security unlawfully raided their garages and seized their cars.

    The importers claimed that over three hundred vehicles belonging to their members were taken from them to an unknown location by EOCO.

    The union had given a three-day ultimatum for government to put on hold the exercise or risk forceful retrieval of their cars even if they are auctioned.

    “Even if it has been alleged that the cars have been stolen, to us we know we are not selling such cars. The cars that we are selling were completely bought. We ship them from America and Canada. We clear them here in Ghana, we have all the necessary documents to support whatever we are saying.

    “We are only sending a signal to government that what they are doing does not help us as business people,” General Secretary of the Union, Clifford Ansu said, as quoted by myjoyonline.

  • National Security operative accused of robbing gold dealer remanded

    A National Security operative accused of robbing a gold company director of 5kg of gold worth GHS2.7 million has been remanded into police custody by an Accra Circuit court.

    Kelvin Prince Boakye, aka Don King, has been charged with conspiracy to commit crime to wit robbery, robbery, and possession of unregistered Burni pistol loaded with three rounds of 9 mm ammunitions without authority.

    Boakye, 48, has denied the various charges and expected to reappear on December 13, 2022, before the court presided over by Mrs Evelyn Asamoah.

    The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Maxwell Oppong, narrated that the complainant, name withheld, was the manageress of Wahid Gold Company Limited, Tesano.

    It said the company dealt in gold and that the Managing Director, Mohammed Ko Chan Tha, was domiciled in Dubai.

    It said the accused claimed to be a national security personnel and residing at Sowutuom, Accra.

    The prosecution told the court that on November 5, this year, the complainant and other workers, who were witnesses in the case, went to buy 5kg of gold from the accused person’s accomplices at the cost of GHS2.731,138.

    It said the gold was taken to SSL Refinery at Kotoka International Airport Terminal two for testing.

    The prosecution held that after the testing, it was confirmed to be pure gold.

     

    It said the accused person’s accomplices who were yet to be arrested lured the complainant to escort them to Accra Mall with the money.

    On their way, the prosecution said the complainant called the Managing Director and one Emmanuel Amuzu, a worker who were with the gold at the refinery to inform them that she had handed over the money to the accused person’s accomplices.

    It said suddenly, Boakye and two others yet to be arrested armed with AK47 rifle went into the refinery and took the Managing Director, Mohammed Ko Chan Tha, Emmanuel Amuzu and other witnesses’ hostage, beat them and robbed them of the 5kg gold.

    The prosecutor said the CCTV installed at the refinery captured the accused person and his accomplices’ act and that they escaped and went into hiding after the robbery.

    On November 18, this year, Boakye was arrested at Awoshie.

    The prosecution said when Boakye was searched, an unregistered Bruni pistol with one round of 9mm ammunitions and a gotta handset were retrieved from him.

    It said when Boakye’s residence was searched, two rounds of 9mm ammunitions, two bullet proof vest, one ballistic helmet, two stunt guns and one pepper spray were found.

    During interrogations, Boakye mentioned five persons as his accomplices.

    The prosecution said efforts were underway to apprehend Boakye’s accomplices.

  • ECOWAS Security, Defence Ministers commit to address cross border security issues

    The Ministerial Session of the Accra Initiative (AI) ended in Accra yesterday after further delib­erations on the need for joint actions by Member States to address cross-border security issues.

    The conference brought together Ministers of Security and Defence of Member States of the AI, which are Benin, Ghana, Togo, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, and Niger.

    Other participants were some representatives of the United Nations (UN) and the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS).

    The AI was established in September 2017 as a mechanism to enhance intelligence and security cooperation between the security agencies of member states.

    Its formation was necessitated by the urgent need to address the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region and curb the south­ward drift of the threat of terrorism to Coastal West African States.

    Opening the session, Minister for National Security, Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, said with strong collabo­ration between African countries, winning the fight against terrorism in the sub-region could be possible.

    He stated that the seemingly dete­riorating security situation in some African countries did not mean efforts of leaders of the affected countries to combat violent extrem­ism were in vain.

    Rather, the minister stressed that the situation could have even been worst without some interventions like intelligence sharing and capacity building, put in place to monitor situations and avert further misfor­tunes.

    He commended the AI for its dedication to ensuring that terrorists and extremists do not take refuge in its member states.

    Commissioner, of Political Affairs, peace and security of the ECOW­AS Commission, Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, in his remarks bemoaned that terrorism was steadily gaining a foothold in the region, especially in the Sahel with the onslaught of Boko Haram in Nigeria and the southward movement towards the coastal member states especially in Benin, Togo, and Cote d’Ivoire.

    He noted that the incremental gains of a combination of deter­mined efforts by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), counter­terrorism operations across the Lake Chad Basin as well as inter terrorist conflicts which had to some extent degraded the capacities of terrorist groups such as the Boko Haram.

    According to Dr. Musah, the worrisome incursion of terror acts in Benin and Togo in recent times and the attacks in Cote D’Ivoire in 2016 confirmed the spread of the terrorist menace toward coastal member states.

    Over the years, various counter­terrorism mechanisms, he said had emerged to respond to the terrorist threat, “Which are often uncoordi­nated and independent of ECOW­AS.”

    “It is worthy to note that the three areas of effort of the AI namely, information exchange between intelligence services and se­curity forces, training of intelligence services and security forces, and the joint military operations at the bor­ders of member states correspond very well for the eradication of terrorism in the ECOWAS region,” he added.

    In her remarks, a representative of the UN, Ms Giovanni Biha indicated that cross border cooper­ation and joint military operations to address the terrorist threat had been largely possible by virtue of the commitment of member countries of the AI.

    She assured of her outfit’s read­iness to continually support the AI in achieving its objectives.

    The Ambassador of the Europe­an Union (EU) to Ghana, Mr. Irchad Razaaly, stressed that thinking outside the box to find innovative solutions to counter terrorism in the sub-region was very necessary.

     

  • Here is what to expect from parliament next week

    The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is set to present the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government of Ghana for the year ending December 31, 2023, in parliament on Thursday, November 24, 2022.

    Ten ministers are expected to appear before the House to answer questions from their respective sectors.

    The ministers expected to appear before the House are Minister for Energy, Interior, National Security, Health, Trade and Industry, among others.

    The Ministers for Lands and Natural Resources, Defence, and National Security will apprise the House on efforts taken by the government to address the galamsey menace.

    The Minister for the Interior will also answer questions on the current state of the investigation into the 2022 serial killing and short-term measures to address the national security threat associated with rising youth unemployment.

  • State to call 11 witnesses to testify in Aisha Huang case

    The State has disclosed it will call 11 witnesses in its criminal case against Chinese galamsey Queen, Aisha Huang.

    The first witness is billed to appear before the High Court next Wednesday, November 9, 2022.

    The Attorney General brought fresh charges against the acclaimed illegal miner shortly after she was busted in Kumasi by National Security and arraigned in the Accra Circuit Court.

    In a virtual arraignment two months ago, the Attorney General’s Department said it was charging Aisha Huang with undertaking a mining operation without a license, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, illegal employment of foreigners, and re-entering Ghana while under prohibition so to do.

    The Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Atakorah Obuobisa, told the Court on Wednesday that some of the witnesses have audiovisual materials which will be played in the course of their testimonies.

    She said all documents the State intends to rely on have also been duly filed and served, and they are ready to proceed to trial.

    Lawyer for Aisha Huang, Captain (Rtd.) Nkrabeah Effah Dartey told the court they had indeed received the “voluminous encyclopedic documents they [Prosecution] filed.”

    The Court is thus adjourned to November 9, for trial to commence.

    Source: Citi News

     

     

  • Kan Dapaah commends security agencies for peace in Ghana

    Minister for National Security, Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, has lauded officers of the various security agencies in the country over their consistent efforts in ensuring peace and tranquillity in the country.

    He said the fact that Ghana was recognised as the most peaceful and secured country in the sub-region and considered the second most powerful and secured country in Africa, was an achievement all Ghanaians should be proud of.

    “If our investment drive has been successful, that has fed into it. Investors come because they know that there is peace and tranquillity in our country.

    “Let us, as Ghanaians never forget that the peace and tranquillity that we have is the result of sacrifices being made by our gallant troops.

    “I want to take this opportunity to salute and thank them and to let them know how much we in government appreciate the work that they are doing for us,” the National Security Minister said.

    Mr Kan Dapaah gave the commendation in Bolgatanga at a brief ceremony to hand over motorbikes and pick-up vehicles to four security agencies in the Upper East Region to boost their operations.

    The beneficiary agencies were the Ghana Immigration Service which received one pick-up vehicle and 10 motorbikes, the Ghana Armed Forces had a pick-up vehicle and 15 motorbikes.

    The Ghana Police Service had a pick-up vehicle and 20 motorbikes, while the National Investigations Bureau, got two pick-up vehicles and five motorbikes.

    Mr Kan Dapaah said even though it was not the primary responsibility of the Sector to provide vehicles to the security agencies, the Ministry took the initiative from its budget to support the agencies to function effectively.

    He noted that some of the agencies, especially the Ghana National Fire Service, and the Ghana Prison Service had not benefitted, and gave the assurance that they would soon receive their share of the vehicles.

    The National Security Minister said the security challenges in the Upper East Region were peculiar, and needed a lot of attention to handle, and commended members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) for the successful management of the security challenges in the Region.

    He said the conflict in Bawku required careful management, “In recent times, the reports that I get from Bawku indicate that to a large extent, we are able to get the two sides to work together.

    “That is necessary and can only be achieved through the commitment, loyalty, and determination of the security agencies, especially the REGSEC,” Mr Kan Dapaah added.


    Mr Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East Regional Minister, said the security situation in the Region was of national concern and indicated that apart from the Bawku and Doba-Kandiga conflicts, there were threats of violent attacks from extremist groups from the Sahel.

    He said the Region hosted a number of immigrants who had escaped the attacks at various locations in communities which share border with neighbouring countries, and said REGSEC was sensitising the border communities on the “See something, say something” campaign.

    Mr Yakubu, who is the Chairman of REGSEC, thanked the National Security Minister for the support and gave the assurance that REGSEC would monitor to ensure the vehicles were used for the intended purpose.

    Source: GNA

  • ‘December in GH’: 50 events endorsed so far

    According to Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer of GTA, a total of 50 events have been approved so far for the upcoming “December in GH” Events.

    50 of the 83 event proposals that the “Beyond the Return” Secretariat received had been approved, he claimed.

    However, this merely means that the ‘Beyond the Return’ stamp would not be present on the remaining 32 events, which would still be planned.

    “All the 50 endorsed events have been formally informed, and currently we are finalizing the process for publication. We are also still receiving events and we welcome an event idea or initiative, even though we have shut the door for proposals.”

    Mr Agyeman made this known at a stakeholder’s engagement to discuss the preparedness towards the activities and to look at areas of collaboration and cooperation of the different organisations.

    He said since the introduction of the Events in 2019, it had become central to the concept of ‘Beyond the Return’, and the tourism industry as a whole.

    He said the call for proposals was opened somewhere in July after which those received were submitted to the steering committee and the sub-committee for review.

    The committee reviewed the events looking at the preparedness of event organizers, and its alignment with the whole concept of the Return and the “December in GH” Events.

    The GTA CEO noted that the committee ensured that some of the events would happen across the country based on feedback from previous events, which showed Accra dominated the events.

    He said the Authority was hoping to set up a welcome booth at the airport to allow people to scan the ‘Beyond the Return’ bar code and have the events, venues, and prices.

    “We are working with some operators on charter flights because the scheduled airlines have all been booked. There are talks and we have licensed a few operators who want to bring in charter flights and if this is achieved it would help drive people to the Destination.”

    Mr Agyeman appealed to event organizers to provide the prices of their events as well as all protocols involved to the Secretariat and ensure to maintain standards in their operations during the events, to attract more tourists to boost the country’s tourist receipts.

    “As a collective body, we would be able to put our best foot forward to work to promote Ghana and make sure that people who come in become ambassadors for the country.”

    Mr Nadel Majdoub, Head of the Protection Department, National Security, said security before, during and after was key to the successful organisation of the Events, especially with issues of terrorism almost at our doorstep.

    He said the security agencies needed to be informed about all arrival schedules, hotels for guests, event venues and times and departure schedules, among others.

    “We must be informed about all arrival schedules from the diaspora, to be able to receive them and send them safely to their hotels and extend protection to them. The event venues and time must also be made available to deploy personnel and do some electronic or manual sniffing to ensure security ahead of time.”

    Mr Majdoub said there was also the need to be informed about guests who need close protection, to assign personnel to guard them as well as those who require an escort to travel across the county

    Mr Ben Anane Nsiah, Deputy Chief Executive, General Services, GTA, said the meeting was a destination-wide engagement to make Ghana the destination come to in December, and it was important for stakeholders to ensure to give people the required experience.

    He said the Authority was still reaching out to the hospitality establishments to engage and train them to be more professional during the period as well as a consistent effort to upgrade tourist sites to engage the interest of visitors.

    Mr Anane Nsiah said, “we do not want “December in GH” to be a December in Accra, and so we have had engagement with various events organizers outside Accra to give the visitor a comprehensive enhancing experience of the whole country.”

    “As a country, we have certain targets to meet, and the last quarter of the year is important in making us reach the numbers we want. So, we need stakeholders to provide the information to be able to put all necessary things in place.”

    Ms Annabelle Mckenzie urged event organizers to ensure their tickets were available to be purchased online, as the main target was to attract global Ghanaians in the diaspora.

    She encouraged organizers to pay their vendors at the end of the event and ensure that all contracts with other stakeholders were officially signed.

     

  • National Security arrests Imam for having links to jihadist group

    Operatives of the National Security have arrested the leader of an Islamic group in Karaga of the Northern Region for having links to a jihadist group in Burkina Faso.

    Shiekh Siedu Dukere, a prominent Fulani cleric, was apprehended together with 12 of his followers on Saturday, October 1.

    Confirming the news to JoyNews, the General Secretary of a Fulani Welfare Group said the reason for the arrest has not been officially ascertained.

    According to Yakubu Musa Bari the security operatives are silent on the matter.

    This is the second time the Imam and his followers have been arrested by the National security.

    He was first arrested in 2019 along with 20 of his followers. Again, he was linked to a jihadist group after the Burkinabe army killed five jihadist militant who had all listed him as their emergency contact in Ghana.

    The Burkinabe agency subsequently alerted the Ghanaian government which led to his arrest.

    He was transferred to Accra, however, after being in custody for just three weeks the Sheikh and followers were released without being charged.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • See something, say something; 21 foreign nationals with suspicious behaviour arrested in Ejisu

    Police in the Ashanti Region‘s Ejisu have detained 21 foreign nationals after seeing their suspicious behavior.

    Following a tip from local residents who observed the strange behavior of the foreigners in the vicinity, the arrest was made.

    Members of the community allegedly spent months observing the foreigners’ “suspicious activities” before deciding to submit them to the police for more inquiry.

    The move followed the “See something, say something” campaign being spearheaded by National Security as a citizens’ awareness campaign aimed at protecting the country against terrorist attacks.

    The campaign, dubbed: “See something, say something”, encourages the public to be vigilant of the activities of suspicious characters and report such activities and characters to the security agencies.

    The campaign forms part of the ministry’s border counter-terrorism strategy aimed at sensitising the public to terrorism threats and encouraging the citizenry to collaborate with state security agencies to reduce the threat of terrorism in the country.

    Related: ‘See something, Say something’ campaign launched

    One of the community leaders, Mohammed Ali said they reported them to the police because they believe they pose a security threat and want the security agencies to probe their operations.

    “For several times, I entered and asked them, what are they doing. They said that they were learning. In the evening, you see them making phone calls, different phone calls, everybody making a phone call. Maybe they are trying to convince someone or I don’t know, so that is what they have been doing around here,” Ali said.

    The police is yet to comment on the issue.

  • Freelance journalist was arrested for filming court proceedings without authority National Security Ministry

    The Ministry of National Security has denied arresting a freelance journalist, Sacut Amenga-Etegu for following up on a case of extortion levelled against an operative of the Ministry.

    A statement issued by the Ministry on Sunday, February 27 said the journalist was arrested based on a High Court order for filming court proceedings without authority.

    “The Ministry of National Security has taken note of a false publication in circulation on social media which purports that Sacut Amenga-Etegu, a freelance journalist has been unduly arrested and detained by personnel of the Ministry.

    “According to the said publication, the journalist was arrested at the premises of a court where he had gone to follow up on a case of extortion levelled against some operatives of the Ministry of National Security.

    “Contrary to the content of the publication the journalist was arrested based on an order of a High Court for Filming and/or videoing the court proceedings without authority.

    “It is worth noting that the journalist was remanded by the same court to reappear on 14th March 2022. The public is therefore urged to disregard the content of the false publication in circulation on social media,” the statement said.

    Source: 3news.com

  • How ‘accused’ Captain Smart became detainee at National Security

    On the morning of Wednesday, February 2, 2022; the host of Onua FM/TV Morning Show, Blessed Godsbrain Smart (Captain Smart), was on air presenting his political show that is critical of government and ill-governance.

    Smart and key ally appear before Circuit Court

    When the show ended, Smart and a colleague Eric Daniels Dadzie Copperfield (DJ GH Boy) honoured summons of an Accra Circuit Court before which they were slapped with charges of extortion and abetment to extortion.

    The duo, at the time officially labelled as accused persons, pleaded not guilty to the charges and were subsequently granted bail to the tune of GHC50,000 with four sureties.

    Briefing at National Security

    Despite being granted bail at around 10:45am, the process of verifying the place of abode of the four sureties took time as both accused were shuttled between the court, homes of sureties and the National Security office in Accra.

    A 3news.com report outlined their stay in temporal detention as bail conditions were being verified.

    “The two gentlemen were first taken to the National Security office and they stayed there for three hours in the name of briefing the coordinator of what had transpired at the Court,” the report said in part.

    Delay in the verification of sureties and shuttle between Ministry and Police Station

    The 3news.com report continued that: “After three hours at the National Security, one officer (Eric Osei) went with the four sureties to verify their places of abode. This process was delayed until the court closed, hence they were not able to process all the conditions for bail.

    “The court closed at 4 pm by which time the officers who had gone for verification had not returned and so the officers took the two suspects to National Security and then to the Ministries Police Station where they were kept for an hour.”

    ‘Re-arrest’ by National Security?

    According to reports, with the courts closed and while still at the Ministries Police Station, National Security officers fetched Captain Smart and his co-accused.

    Their reason was that they had orders from above to bring them back to the office of National Security.

    TWI NEWS
    Background: Bribery case involving Transport Minister 

    The Police CID last month via an official statement said they will press charges relating to defrauding by false pretences and accepting and giving bribes to influence a public official against Captain Smart.

    The issue relates to an allegation that started last year on Net2 TV, that a businesswoman had approached Captain Smart with the view of helping her influence the Transport Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Atta over a land that she was interested in. 

    The Minister was the one who lodged the case with the Police after the allegation was reported in the media.

    Captain Smart in his response has accused the government of using such frivolous matters with the view of gagging him. He said on the January 19 edition of his programme that he remained undaunted by the scheming.

    “That a person of my stature has been given GHC10,000 to go and influence the Roads Minister. Can you imagine this rubbish? If so, then the Minister is very cheap. That I should influence him with GHC10,000.

    “How is it that since 2018, you are now pursuing this matter in 2022. I swear that I have no idea about that nonsense that is aimed at just implicating Captain Smart,” he submitted.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com