We’ll retool security agencies to enhance operations — Interior Minister

The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has said that given the crucial role security agencies play in maintaining peace and harmony in the country, the government will continue to retool them to enhance their operations.

He said deliberate efforts would be made to equip them with modern tools, logistics and infrastructure to improve their efficiency and responsiveness.

Alhaji Muntaka added that there were also plans to deploy drones to monitor border activities and unapproved routes across the country to enhance surveillance.

Occasion

Addressing various security agencies during his three-day tour of the Northern Region, the minister said: “We are exploring the use of drones and night vision drones for security monitoring across various routes.

This will give us a clearer picture of what is happening in real time”.

He said the move had become necessary due to the rising number of immigrants entering the country through unauthorised routes, which he said posed a major security threat.

The minister said that although the country had about 48 legal entry points, people continued to exploit unapproved paths to enter the country.

“We are in a sub-region facing turmoil, and there are numerous cross-border movements between Ghana and neighbouring countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Burkina Faso that must be closely monitored,” he said.

The minister further acknowledged the logistical and operational challenges facing security agencies, particularly the Ghana National Fire Service in the Northern Region, where out of the 16 districts in the region, only seven have fire stations.

“The last time Ghana procured fire tenders was in 2014; for almost nine years, not even a single new fire tender has been bought.

This needs to change,” he said.

Appeal

The Northern Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, ACFOII Franklin P. Masiku, appealed for fire tenders and other logistics to enhance their operations.

“Sometimes, it takes us nearly an hour to reach affected areas during fire outbreaks.

The situation is dire, and we need urgent support to fulfil our mandate,” he said.

Writer’s email:mohammed.fugu@graphic.com.gh