President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Add has stressed the importance of preserving peace in Ghana amidst a surge of terrorist activities across the West Africa sub-region.
In his State of the Nation Address on Tuesday 27th February 2024 presented to Parliament, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the ongoing threat of terrorism and violent extremism, noting its swift expansion from the Sahel region towards coastal West Africa.
He pointed out that while neighbouring countries have succumbed to extremist groups, losing significant territories, Ghana remains the only coastal state along the Gulf of Guinea yet to experience a terrorist attack, attributing this to divine grace.
He said, “West Africa is under threat of terrorism and violent extremism, rapidly spreading southward from the Sahel to coastal West Africa. We can no longer take the territorial integrity of our countries for granted.”
“Indeed, many of our neighbours have already fallen victim and lost large portions of their territories to extremist groups, and Ghana by the Grace of Almighty is the only coastal state along the Gulf of Guinea that has so far not witnessed a terrorist attack.”
President Akufo-Addo noted that the peace and security Ghana enjoys have not happened by chance and that there has been deliberate policy and planning on the part of the government and a lot of hard work to keep the country safe and secure.
Government, he said, has had to spend a lot of money that would otherwise have been available to spend on many of development needs.
“But I believe we all agree that the primary responsibility of the state towards its citizens is to provide and guarantee peace and security, and we are doing just that,” he added.
According to the President, the government has ensured a significant expansion of the Armed Forces and all the other security agencies and equally paying diligent attention to their welfare as well.
“The accommodation and physical environment generally of the security agencies are being improved. We have quickened the pace of the retooling and equipping of the security agencies to ensure readiness towards the emerging security threats.”
“For the majority of us and our everyday activities, it is the security of our streets and homes and communities that concern us most. We want our children and grandchildren to grow up in a safe atmosphere and the Ghana Police Service plays the lead role in this,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo assured the government is determined to do all it can to ensure there is security in every inch of the territory of the country, but it also is very much up to the citizens to help create the needed atmosphere.
“I am, thus, appealing to all citizens to take the See Something, Say Something campaign of the Ministry of National Security very seriously,” he added.