Issues pertaining to security has been on the deliberation table, pre and post elections in the country. As some stakeholders blame leaders in charge for the substandard performance and failure in their job execution, the issue, also with regards to the election has been attributed to the lawlessness of citizens and their failure to adhere to instructions.
Security issues emanating from the Ayawaso West Wougon attacks, Western Togoland Secessionist attacks, the gruesome murder of the Mfantseman Member of Parliament, the late Ekow Hayford, election attacks on journalists, consistent broad day shooting attacks amongst others were some of the notable happenings during the National Security Ministers tenure.
As the appointment of new Ministers under the 8th Parliament approaches, questions are arising as to who will be selected amongst the new MP’s and who will be reappointed among the old MP’s.
Speaking with regards to the Security sector, Security expert and analyst, Adib Saani, intimated that the Minister has failed in his discharge of duties.
Speaking during an interview, he called on the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, not to re-appoint the Minister of National Security, Albert Ken Dapaah, on the basis of failure to deliver on the job.
Expounding his reasons for such a call, he intimated that, statistics on crime shot up during Kan-Dapaah’s tenure indicating a failure to live up to expectations.
“I think that Kan-Dapaah as the National Security Minister has failed to live up to expectation. His inability to work closely with the various security agencies to as it were, pre-empt and even perhaps prevent the insurrection by the Western Togoland Group is something I find quite disturbing.”
For the past four years under President Akufo-Addo’s government, the security sector has been able to secure the territorial integrity and the internal affairs of Ghana and this ranges from retooling of the various security services, recruitment to augment staff strength, improvement in remunerations amongst others.
Despite these achievements, Mr. Adib Saani posited that, several challenges were faced with the National Security set up, particularly the manner in which security operatives are recruited, giving a reference of the Ayawaso West Wougon violent attacks.
He again buttressed his point on the basis of the United States of America issuing a number of travel advisories to Ghana, one in 2019 and again in September 2020 pointing to the issue of growing insecurity in Ghana.
“So, I think by and large Albert Kan-Dapaah lacks the competence, he lacks the commitment needed to improve the general security of the state. This is not based on my unscientific personal opinion but it is based on a scientific fact. As a matter of fact, crime is on the ascendency in the past three years, this is according to police statistics.
“I’m not blaming for the increase in crime but I’m blaming him for his inability to deal with the threat in a much more effective manner as we expected of him.”
The President will in the coming weeks appoint Ministers to help with governance and administrative work towards achieving projects outlined by his government.
With the recent turn of events in Parliament with majority of the old MP’s loosing their seats, new faces are expected to come in board to serve under the Akufo-Addo government as ministers.
