President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institute for Security, Disaster and Emergency Studies, Dr Ishmael Norman, has said the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the Police and other security agencies are potent enough to deal with any terrorist group that may emerge in the country.
He however, asked the government to scale up its efforts in resourcing all the state security agencies with modern equipment and technology to enable them stay ahead of the criminals at all times.
Speaking on the New Day show on TV3 with host Helene Appiah-Ampofo, regarding terrorist’s attacks in some West African countries including Nigeria, Dr Norman said regarding Ghana that “I don’t see any real preparedness of the population, I don’t see any real preparedness of the Military forces and security forces. I think we should be concerned about that but we should also learn to put things in context. I have said before that 9/11 was catastrophic event but the quantum of the people that actually died compared to the population of the United States although a lot of people suffered post traumatic events.
“I don’t wish Ghana to be attacked by terrorist groups but we have to put it in context that even if it happens, the effect will be very negligible… so let us put things in the context and stop frightening ourselves that the terrorists are going to take over.
“Our Army is very strong, our Police is very strong even though sometimes we doubt them but they are very strong, our Navy, our other military agencies and we the people, we are also very strong. If we see something happening, I know there will be patriotic Ghanaians that will jump onto the terrorist and deal with them. Let us not be frightened, government needs to prepare, provide equipment, provide technology.”
The Executive Director for the West Africa Centre for Counter Extremism (WACCE), Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar also warned Ghana not to create fear and panic in the country with threats of terror attacks.
Although he called for extra vigilance to forestall any possible attack, he said there is the need to have a conversation around not creating panic within the system.
He explained on the same show that there are many countries that are dealing with terror attacks however, they do not allow that to interfere with normal daily life.
“…More importantly, I think the conversation we should also be having is how not to create panic in the system. There are many countries that they are dealing with terrorism and yet it does not get in the way of their normal daily life as people and so, it is important that that part of the conversation is featured in our conversation,” he said.
Ghana is clearly a target for terror attack, Deputy National Security Coordinator, Mr Edward Kweku Aspmani, recenlty said.
He explained that the terrorists have been targeting mostly resource-rich countries therefore, since Ghana is endowed with natural resources, it exposes the country to the miscreants.
Addressing a press conference on the measures that have been put in place to prevent the attack’s from happening in the country, on Sunday May 22, he said “We are not insulated from those attacks therefore, we think Ghanaians should be aware. Why are we involving Ghanaians? The nature of the threats is such that it is not conventional warfare, they don’t come in with the APCs and fighter jets. They come in all forms, it could be your pastor in the church, cleric in the mosque, individuals coming in as CSOs purporting to do community work.
“That means that we all have to be vigilant. Also we know that the terrorists want access to the sea, the nature of the various attacks we have all seen in the subregion indicates that wherever they go there is some form of mineral or natural resource there particularly gold.
“So the question therefore is, if they attack cities and towns in Burkina Faso that has gold deposits, clearly, Ghana will be an interest.”
“We are clearly therefore a target that is why we are here today to seek the support of Ghanaians.”
