A security analyst, Adib Saani, has intimated that the architecture of the country’s security is flawless.
Speaking in an interview, he averred the state of Ghana’s security compared to other countries is good but should, however, be worked on.
“To a very large extent it is apt. If it weren’t, I am not sure you and I would have been here. When you compare our crime rate with other countries within the West Africa sub region, you will realize that we seem to be better off. But that is not to say we do not have issues in the country to be complacent.”
Adib Saani
That notwithstanding, Mr. Saani disclosed that the security situation in the past few years has not really improved much. He stated that local authorities lack the capacity to confront the issues adding that there has also been a rise in murder cases in the country.
“When you take a closer look at the crime statistics since 2017, it is actually on the increase. This is even according to the Ghana Police Service (GPS). Even the US department of state in their annual travel advisory points to the same fact.”
Adib Saani
Touching on if the reason was due to lack of equipment or intelligence gathering, he indicated that the issue stems from lack of interest from leadership.
“The issue has to do with leadership. We have a leadership that hasn’t shown commitment towards improving crime and investigation… We are in the 21st century and it should have been easy for us. But it looks like we are not taking advantage of the modern technology that is on hand and available to use.”
Adib Saani
Integrate existing technologies
Adib Saani further suggested that the already existing technology systems in the country should be integrated and people should be trained to put the various technologies to use.
“We have biometric systems that are in silos. Before you get your voters ID they take your finger prints, as well as your Ghana card, passport and National Health. So, why don’t we integrated these systems, train officers so that when someone enters a place, leaves finger prints in there, they can collect the print, run it in a database and you will see the magic it will produce.”
Adib Saani
Mr. Saani also suggest the digitization of crime investigations. This, he said, if done either than the manual approach will help track lots of criminals and provide enough evidence.
“With the manual one a lot of criminals get away with it. When cases go before judges, most of the evidence is not circumstantial. So, if we have the forensics, trust me, it will help to a large extent. You see judges throwing out cases because there is no evidence.”
Adib Saani
Prior to this, the National Coordinator for Ghana Boundary Commission, and a defence and security expert, Emmanuel Kotia, intimated that there is no need for reforms in the National Security since the agency is properly structured.
