Change of security heads will engender fresh ideas — Analyst

The appointment of new heads for the Police, Immigration, Prisons And Fire Service is expected to bring about a strategic realignment of these institutions with the government's vision and policies, a security analyst, Dr Festus Kofi Aubyn, has said.

"Each government comes into office with a unique security agenda based on their party manifestos and how they want to address issues confronting the security sector,” he emphasised.

Dr Aubyn, who is also the Head of Research and Capacity Building at the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), was reacting to the recent appointment made by President John Mahama to the security agencies in an interview with the Daily Graphic.

New heads

They are Commissioner of Police (CoP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, as Inspector General of Police; Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI), Samuel Basentale Amadu, as the Comptroller General of the Ghana Immigration Service; Deputy Director of Prisons (DDGP 3), Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, as the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, and Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO), Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, as the Chief Fire Officer.

The recent leadership changes in the security services have already been met with jubilation from some personnel, indicating a renewed sense of purpose and motivation.
Standards

However, Dr Aubyn cautioned that the success of these changes would depend on the commitment of the new leaders to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and service to the public.

He stated that the appointment of new leaders would also ensure that those at the helm of affairs share in the strategic objectives and priorities of the government and must be committed to executing them effectively.

The senior researcher and lecturer on conflict and security management, terrorism and violent extremism, emphasised that the alignment was crucial for effective security governance.

Fresh ideas

That, he said, would also inject fresh ideas and perspectives into the security services.

“Security institutions require reforms and adaptability to address emerging security threats and the changing nature of crimes," Dr Aubyn said, adding: “Leadership changes can facilitate the essential reforms needed to respond to new threats, as well as the introduction of innovative strategies and new technologies to combat crimes.”

He stressed the importance of leadership changes in fostering a culture of accountability, which could strengthen professionalism and public trust in the security services.

“Changes in leadership can reinvigorate the morale of personnel, address systematic grievances, and enhance public confidence in the security services,” he added.