Ghana’s National Security Policy to be ready by December 2020

Government has plans to introduce a comprehensive document that details the strategic framework for national security and describes how Ghana provides security for the state and the citizens.

The document to be reviewed every four years to be abreast with the latest security challenges facing the nation in a particular year and the best strategies to adopt, is expected to be in place before the end of year 2020.

This was made known by the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaa, who appeared before Parliament on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 to give an answer to a Parliamentary question filed by the Member of Parliament for Builsa North constituency, James Agalga.

The Former Deputy Minister for Interior in the else while Former President John Mahama led NDC administration, wanted to know whether the National Security Ministry has plans to introduce a National Security Policy before Parliament for consideration.

The Minister in his answer, indicated that a detailed draft copy of the National Security Policy was ready and it is intended to be submitted to Parliament for their input.

He however explained that, “The policy document will not be submitted to the House as a Bill to be passed into an Act of Parliament…The consultation with Parliament will therefore be limited to discussions with the Select Committee responsible for National Security and the Leadership of the House.”

According to the National Security Minister, the vision of the Government is to use the National Security Policy to set the stage for a progressive and secured security Governance system.

He said, although it has not been the practice in Ghana to have a documented National Security Policy, the government considered it an urgent need to do so and therefore the Ministry of National Security set up a Technical Working Group in October 2017 to initiate the process of drafting a National Security Policy.

“The Group comprised representatives of Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies; the academia and known Security Experts.” He said, adding that “The draft document has gone through various validation and review processes with selected Security and Governance Experts as well as stakeholder consultations with various interest groups and Civil Society Organizations.”

Source: Clement Akoloh || africanewsradio.com