Professor Kwasi Aning, Director, Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has welcomed statements by the National Security cautioning Ghanaians on threats of terrorism in the country.

Prof Aning, despite commending the cautionary messages from the national security, revealed that the two statements put forth by the National Security coordinator, Maj-Gen. Francis Adu-Amanfoh (RTD) and the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah are “unfortunate” and have different “physiology”. He explained that the statement from the national security coordinator, is one of an “emotional appeal and a rehashing of some of the things” that had happened. To address the situation, he urged them to issue one statement to address the public in future.

“… So, this is a very welcomed caution to the public but it’s terrible and unfortunate that we have two statements. That is what those who seek to hurt us will use… I am hoping that with this new national security strategy document, a collaboration, partnership, the sharing of information and speaking with one voice as to the nature of the threat and how to prevent, respond is done in such a manner that it shows a nation that is resolute and its institutions that speak one voice.”
Professor Kwasi Aning

Describing the death of Professor Kofi Awoonor in a terrorist attack by the national security coordinator in its statement as “unfortunate, unethical and unacceptable”, Prof Aning noted that it did not seek to only caution the public but play on their emotions. To ameliorate this, he called for an apology to be made to Prof Kofi Awoonor’s family for “using their hurt and their pain in such an unprofessional manner”.

Calls for guidelines to protect the public

Conversely, Prof Aning indicated that Mr Kan Dapaah’s statement was “sober, reflective, appealing, dialogic and informative”, which endeared the public to not only be cautious but also work towards achieving the objective of the ministry in foiling terrorist threats. With this, he called for more education to be made to the public on some signs to looked out for which may potentially be a terrorist threat.

“… I would have expected there would have been some numbers within those letters… I’m hoping that today or tomorrow, there will be a set of specific dos and don’ts that ordinary citizens will look out for. I think it’s contingent on those who are issuing these statements also to give us clues or guidance as what to do and how to behave. Is the threat real? It’s been real for the past ten years. So, there must be some specific indications that has led to this…”
Professor Kwasi Aning

It will be recalled that the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah, in a statement on May 17, 2022, cautioned Ghanaians to be vigilant in public gatherings in the country due to growing threats of terrorism in the West African sub-region. He revealed that the public must be vigilant and extra careful about their personal and communal security.

Prior to this, the national security coordinator in a statement dated May 12, 2022, addressed to heads of religious groups in the country stated that following the increasing concerns over the expansion of terrorist groups in the sub-region, it is instituting new measures at public places of worship to avert terrorist attacks in the country. These measures, he revealed, have become necessary to protect the country.