The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has initiated a nationwide review of Ghana's 2020 National Security Strategy. The review aims to assess the implementation of the existing strategy, identify emerging security risks, and develop a revised framework to strengthen national security. As part of this process, the Secretariat organized a regional stakeholder engagement in Bolgatanga, bringing together representatives of security agencies, civil society organizations, youth groups, traditional authorities, the media, and other stakeholders.
The Technical Aide to the National Security Coordinator, Dr. Mohammed Bako, explained that the review is both a policy necessity and a statutory requirement. Ghana introduced its first National Security Strategy in 2020 to provide a coordinated framework for addressing threats to the state and its citizens. The Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030), required the strategy to be reviewed within two years of the inauguration of a new Parliament. However, the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2026 (Act 1168), has shortened the review period to one year.
Dr. Bako stated that stakeholder engagements will be held across all 16 regions to gather local perspectives on security threats, vulnerabilities, and emerging concerns. The participation of residents of the Upper East Region is particularly important due to the region's strategic location and unique security challenges. The review seeks input on emerging security threats, including communal conflicts, mining-related tensions, organized crime, and youth vulnerability.
Speaking on behalf of the Upper East Regional Minister, the Regional Coordinating Director, Bless Kwame Darkey, welcomed the consultation. He described it as an opportunity for local communities to contribute to the country's security framework. Mr. Darkey identified communal and boundary disputes, mining-related tensions, drug and substance abuse, organized crime, and youth vulnerability as security concerns requiring attention in the region.
Mr. Darkey stressed that security is not the responsibility of security agencies alone but a shared responsibility. He called for a coordinated and preventive approach to addressing these challenges, emphasizing the need for participation from government institutions, traditional and religious authorities, civil society organizations, political parties, the private sector, academia, the media, and local communities.
Mr. Darkey urged policymakers to consider the socioeconomic conditions that contribute to insecurity, particularly unemployment, exclusion, and vulnerability among young people. He encouraged participants to propose practical measures to address security threats, clarify institutional responsibilities, and strengthen collaboration among relevant stakeholders. The Upper East Regional Coordinating Council reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the National Security Council Secretariat and other stakeholders to promote peace, stability, and development in the region.
The review of the 2020 National Security Strategy is a critical process that will inform the development of a revised framework to address emerging security challenges in Ghana. The National Security Council Secretariat's engagement with stakeholders in the Upper East Region and across the country will ensure that local perspectives are integrated into the revised strategy. This process is expected to strengthen national security and promote peace and stability in Ghana.
Key points
- The National Security Council reviews 2020 security strategy.
- Stakeholders in Upper East Region engage on emerging threats.
- Revised framework aims to strengthen national security.
