(1). We were surprised and curious about what we noted to be new logistics supplies from the Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service to his staff in the Upper East Region.
(2). From mid-November, 2024, we began to note a new lease of life in the Upper East Region GIS.
(3) We began to note the supply of these new logistics: Vehicles, motorbikes, ballistic vests, helmets, arms, knee and elbow pads, torch lights, solar lamps, binoculars, tents and camp beds.
(4). We do hope these new logistics will enhance the work of the GIS staff in their interface and interaction with the locals, especially for National Security’s “see something say something” counter terrorism strategy.
(5). We expect that the new logistics will enable the GIS staff work hard for the maintenance of security, stability and safety of our country.
(6). The citizens of the region – especially the locals in the border communities – are also involved in maintaining security and safety by making the effort to report the movements of strange and suspicious looking persons in their communities to GIS Staff (and other Security Agents where they maintain a presence).
(7). Some of the locals in the border communities are afraid that the security agents can’t easily counter terrorists and other cross border criminals because of the nature of the vast porous borders in the region.
(8). So far, the terrorists have not crossed the borders into Ghana as a fighting force. But the locals know that the terrorists can disguise themselves and cross the border every day. So, the locals know it is the internal security systems that can counter the terrorists.
(9). The government continues to talk about digitization and the Ghana Card. If the Ghana Card should remain central to accessing goods and services in Ghana, is it not possible for the Ghana Card to put the country several steps ahead of the game of the terrorists? Can it be said that the data to counter terrorism is in the Ghana card?
(10). There are several border communities that have no presence of soldiers, police men, and NIB officials. It is Ghana Immigration Service staff who perform their work and also act as police men and Intelligence officers. We do expect that the Management of GIS and the Ministries of National Security and Interior will do more to enhance the capabilities of GIS staff to contribute to building a more secure, safer, stronger and better Ghana
I shall return.
Owula Mangortey
Permanent Representative and Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary to BAWKU
5th December, 2024