Attention to all on these Security Tips.
By Dr . Kwesi Biney (Security Analyst – IHRC GHANA)
I want you all to be mindful of your security. Listen to the news regularly, please.
We all need to be concerned about our safety. Do not say it can never happen to me. No one is safe. Men of God; Security men; etc. No one is safe; nowhere is safe. Let us try and observe strict security protocols together with our prayers. This is against the recent statement issued by the minister of national security about the terrorism threat in Ghana.
NOTE THE FOLLOWING
ONE
I would like to advise you all never to stay out of the house late.
Come back home or stay close to your house latest 6 pm
TWO
Be careful about how you travel in marked vehicles at all times. Be circumspect on the security context of the area and time you use marked or branded vehicles, for example, vehicles bearing names, company logos, etc.
THREE
Do not travel in groups. If you are to go for a programme, move-in little groups of two to three; and in staggered movement.
FOUR
If your area is being, for whatever reason, attacked switch off all lights, including any switch with lights no matter how tiny. Remove all jewellery on your body and wrap your phone in a cloth to prevent light reflection that can betray your position.
If you hear a gunshot, leave your bed and lie flat under the bed and away from your window. Get out of sight. Lie close to any wall.
FIVE
Do not take a ride in any vehicle that you don’t know. Rather, take public transportation at parks and other designated places.
SIX
When you go out, dress regular and neat, not flashy. Never wear any clothes that can get you noticed or identified.
SEVEN
If you are going somewhere, tell at least one person where you are going and the expected time of your arrival there and return home. Where possible, do not go alone.
EIGHT
On no account should you visit online friends, that is, people that you meet on social media. Do not, under any guise or for whatever reason, ever visit them either in public, their homes, hotels, or offices. NEVER.- Beware!
NINE
Speak very little when in public and never comment on government, political or religious issues.
TEN
Always maintain call credit on your phone and always ensure you have power on it. If you do not have a power bank, buy one. You may need to reach out to people in the event of an ATTACK or EMERGENCY.
ELEVEN
If under attack, do not make voice calls, because sound travels faster and quietly at night and would, in any case, draw attention to where you are/what you’re doing. Just dial the number of a close and trusted relative or friend repeatedly, but do not talk if the person picks up your call. You have succeeded in getting the person’s attention, so follow up immediately with a short text that clearly tells what the problem is and where you are, if possible. Ensure to do this discreetly, and undercover so that your phone will not reflect any ray of light.
TWELVE
Don’t buy group dress from anyone for now. No matter how close they are to you, don’t buy.
THIRTEEN
Don’t attend parties that you are not closely connected or associated with the organisers.
FOURTEEN
If the event of an attack, remember there are only 2 rules to guide you.
1) Do not panic
2) DO NOT PANIC!!!
If you panic, you will not only attract the attention of the attackers to yourself, but will also get so scared and confused that you will forget the things you need to do to keep safe.
FIFTEEN
This is not the time to do fashion or to showcase your new clothing and shoes. Anytime you go out, wear clothes and especially shoes that will allow you to run in case you need to get out of a troubled area fast. Wear cheap and easy to wear and remove shoes that you can throw away if they impede your movement. Your dress should not hinder your ability to run.
SIXTEEN
Prepare for any eventuality. Do not say it can’t happen to you. Be Prepared. Trouble can happen anywhere, any time, and to anyone. Remember your life is very important, not your phone or your property.
SEVENTEEN
If you have to run, throw away anything in your hand. Save yourself first. Don’t wait to pick anything that drops from/off you while running.
RUN.
Run as fast as you can.
EIGHTEEN
If there is a shooting, try the rules. Do not panic. The fact that you heard the gunshot means that you are not hit and you are alive. If you are hit, you will not hear the SOUND.
#. Reduce your height first by bending down as close to the ground as possible.
#. Afterwards, try first to identify the direction of the shots; then draw a cross putting the direction of the shot at north or south. After doing this, RUN East or WEST.
#. Never run in a straight line in the opposite direction because bullets travel at straight lines, and never run toward the point of the gunshot.
#. As you are moving out of the troubled area, identify hard objects or structures that you can use as protection where you can hide.
#. If you notice the sound is coming closer, shift your location a little as you continue to run. If not, find a safe place and hide in a sitting position to avoid stray bullets from hitting you.
NINETEEN
With the situation of things in the country now, avoid arguments with People. When you notice people are showing anger, don’t intervene. Do not wait/try to stop them. Move out of the place as quickly and quietly as you can. Innocent people end up losing their lives while trying to intervene in such situations. Don’t go to places where incidents like this happen to try to know what actually happened. You may be unlucky and get injured, molested, arrested, or killed.
TWENTY
Until the security situation in the country improves, stay as close as possible to your home. Know the shortest possible routes to your home, in case you need to get home quickly.
Always keep some change at hand. Not much, maybe 2k or less in case you need to board a public transport out of any trouble area.
OPEN YOUR EYES AND BE ALERT.
TWENTY-ONE
Pray without ceasing!!!!!!. Commit your ways into the hands of God for divine protection and He will command His angels to deliver you in times of trouble.
Suspect everything including people and places…
ALWAYS REMEMBER SAFETY FIRST !!!
