The National Security Council Secretariat recently convened a one-day regional stakeholder engagement in Cape Coast, Central Region, to review the 2020 National Security Strategy. This initiative aimed to gather regional perspectives on security threats, risks, vulnerabilities, and emerging concerns confronting the country. The engagement brought together participants from various fields, including civil society, academia, traditional authorities, and the clergy.
The Technical Advisor and Intelligence Advisor to the National Security Coordinator, Dr. Muhammad Baako, emphasized that the 2020 National Security Strategy was adopted to safeguard national sovereignty, protect citizens, and maintain peace, security, and stability. He noted that the National Security Council Secretariat is currently undertaking a review of this strategy, in line with the Security and Intelligence Agency Act, 2026 (Act 1168), and other relevant policies.
The review process involves obtaining stakeholders' considered assessments of key issues specific to the Central Region. Dr. Baako mentioned that the revised document is still in draft form and has not been finalized. The meeting sought to address two key issues specific to the Central Region, taking into account its unique characteristics, such as a substantial youthful population in secondary and tertiary institutions, a diverse tourism sector, and an extensive coastal fishing community.
While these features offer economic advantages to the region and the country, they also create security vulnerabilities. Dr. Baako noted that activities and people passing through the region can be difficult to monitor, making it challenging to detect potential security threats. He explained that the draft strategy treats such concerns as interconnected with the three priorities outlined earlier in his address.
The revised strategy aims to shift national security governance from an emphasis on state security to the security of individuals, and from a reactive approach to a more participatory one. This approach distributes responsibility beyond the uniform services to cover traditional authority, district assembly, and other stakeholders. The goal is to ensure a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to national security.
The Central Region's unique characteristics, such as its youthful population, tourism sector, and coastal fishing community, require a tailored approach to addressing security concerns. Dr. Baako emphasized that the revised strategy will take into account these regional specificities to ensure effective security governance. The engagement in Cape Coast is part of a broader effort to review and revise the National Security Strategy.
The review of the National Security Strategy is a statutory process aimed at ensuring that the country's security framework remains relevant and effective. The stakeholder engagement in the Central Region is expected to contribute to the development of a revised strategy that addresses emerging security concerns and priorities. The revised strategy will provide a forward-looking framework for national security governance in Ghana.
Key points
- The National Security Council Secretariat holds regional stakeholder engagements to review the 2020 National Security Strategy and gather regional perspectives on security threats and concerns.
