SECURITY WEEK CELEBRATION- WAGPCO HQ

 

 

SECURITY WEEK CELEBRATION-  WAGPCO HQ HELD ON 27^TH NOV., 2024. LECTURES ON THE TOPIC- EMERGING SECURITY TRENDS IN GHANA AND POSSIBLE POLITICAL FLASH POINTS DURING THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTIONS

 BY THE DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR OF G7 SECURITY SYSTEMS LTD MR. JAKPER KOFI KAKARIBA.

 

Good morning MD, the GMs, Management members and staff present, invited Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen.

We are very pleased for the opportunity to be here to celebrate security week with a great team such as this.

THE SECURITY COMMUNITY.

Security Month is July 24 – signifies 24/7 working hours effort of security officers in hostile, harsh and risk elevated situations.

Bodies like International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO), ASIS International, ISMI, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) etc. recognize and dedicate this day for security officers worldwide.

A m I here to perhaps remind ourselves of what we might be aware of; that is security guidelines for personal and corporate security before, during and after the 2024 general elections.

Crime Overview of Ghana as at ember, 2024

The Republic of Ghana is in West Africa and share border in the northern with Burkina Faso, Eastern border is shared with the Republic of Togo and to the Western with La Cote D’Ivoire and to the southern with Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean with a population of over 34 million people.

 

The US Department of State  (www.osac.gov), has assessed Ghana as being CRITICAL – threat location for crimes, which means Ghana is no longer a fairly stable, low-risk country. What it means therefore, is that Ghana has become a significant hotspot for convergence of transnational organized crimes. Consequently, the US Department of State via its Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) going into Ghana general election 2024, has indicated that there may be widespread violent crimes and /or organized crimes present in the country and that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes with Ghana Police Services just employs over 30,000. Take for example, most recently, the country is still struggling with porous borders, a weaker state presence especially in the northwestern part of the country, at Bawku, a border town between Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso with a likelihood of spillover of the Jihadist rebels from the Sahel country notable Burkina Faso into Ghana.

The business environment al though is fairly stable however, with high level of corruption, for which it is ranked 70 least corrupt nation out of 180 countries, according to 2023 http://www.transparency.org/cpi2022 Corruption Perception Index reported by Transparency International.

 

 

ACCORDING TO US DEPARTMENT OF STATE, EMERGING CRIMES TREND IN GHANA ARE:

• Violent crimes against civilians including members of LGBTQI+ (Assault)
• Political violence
• Inter-ethnic violence
• Money Laundering
• Cyber crime
• Human trafficking
• Romance scams
• Road traffic offenses
• Crime against environment -Illegal Small-Scale Mining (Galamesey)
• violent crimes such as armed robbery, Car Hijacking
• General theft such as pickpocketing, purse snatching, Scamming
• Trespass (Land Guarding activities)
• Burglary
• Terrorism
• Bribery and Corruption

 

 

 

Historical events of elections violence in Africa

Well done to USA for holding a successful election on 5/11/2024.

However, Africa sometimes seems complicated somehow.

Take for example; Kenya in 2007, over 800-1500 people died because of disputed elections violence. violence broke out on a large scale.

7th Dec 2024 Ghana shall go for general elections.

We in Ghana must learn from historical events from Kenya.

Ghana:

Bawalysi in Accra 2019, lives were lost

Techiman North, Ejura and Odododiodio innocent lives were lost due to elections violence 2020.

Neutrality of State Institutions. (Ref.CODEO).

The major cause of elections violence in Africa is non-neutrality or weak state institutions leading to mistrust among the citizens and the political actors. For example, in Ghana leading to 2024 general elections, there is a serious mistrust among the opposition parties and the ruling party of non-neutrality of the state institutions such Electoral Commission (EC), the Judiciary and some of the security services. Take for example, the opposition parties believe that the alleged theft of Biometric Voters Registration (BVR) machines from EC stores has the potential for voter manipulation which can affect the integrity or the outcome of the Dec 2024 elections. They also expressed their concerns of the appointment of politically partisan members into the Judiciary and EC, who might have the potential to manipulate fair judgement.

However, we have opinion that it may not escalate and degenerate into violence. This is because, historically, Ghana has been a stable democracy that has held eights elections since 1992, with three peaceful transitions of power between political parties. The most recent election was in 2020, even though, there was sporadic election -related violence leading to loss of innocents lives of grassroots supporters, Ghana Police Service has assured of peaceful elections this time around.

Diplomatic Community Expresses Security Concerns.

Source: US EMBASSY IN GHANA.

The perception or reality of non-neutrality of state institutions coupled with other security related misinformation/disinformation have raised tensions in the political environment in the country and consequently raising concerns among the diplomatic community. The UK High Commissioner to Ghana Harriet Thompson and the US Ambassador to Ghana Virginia Palmer have warned of potential violence signals in the upcoming elections and that it will be less peaceful. The US Ambassador, therefore, for purposes of deterrence but not to provoke, warned of denying political activists whose actions or inactions may undermined the integrity of the elections in Ghana of US Visa.

Civil Society Organizations Express Security Concerns.

The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and other CSOs, have all posit that, Ghana has not taken sufficient measures to deter political violence to boost public confidence and trust. There is, therefore, the need to increase engagement with various stakeholders at both the local and national level to gain public trust to ensuring transparent, free, fair and peaceful elections. It is our opinion that, all those warnings and concerns from the Diplomatic Community and CSOs will yield a positive result by de-escalating tensions amongst the political stakeholders.

Assurance from the IGP.

The IGP Dr. George Dampare who also doubles as the Chairman of National Election Security taskforce (NESTF), has however, assured Ghanaians this time around that adequate resources have been allocated, and enduring security plan has been put in place to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections on the 7^th Dec. 2024. According to him, the Police are poised to maintain law and order before, during and after the elections.

Similarly, the National Peace Council has also put together Regional Early Warning Response Group to keep an eye on the various hotspots area identified in all the 276 constituencies to safeguard the country’s peace.

Electoral Commission on its part says, it has in collaboration with Ghana Police Service identified 7,250 hotspots in the country ahead of the 2024 elections.

 

The notable hotspots in Accra are:

Madina, Ashaiman, Ablekuma Central, Ayawaso North and Ayawaso East/west and other swing constituencies. Unfortunately for us, WAPCO which is one of the most Critical National Infrastructure in energy sector is at the borderlines with these notable hotspots- Ayawaso North and Ayawaso East/west constituencies. In fact, these hotspots should however, be interpreted with much caution as there could be surprises according to Ghana police intelligence.

Personal Responsibilities of At-Risk Personnel (WAPCO).

We the at-risk personnel must be determined to take certain personal responsibilities for our protection especially executives of the company who are perceived to represent the wealth of the company.

 

1. Be Aware of your Surroundings of any suspicious activities. Anywhere you find yourselves, please be mindful of your environment and any potential security risks that may arise.

• Stay focus and do not be distracted by your phone, music or any other activity.
• Trust your instincts and act swift
• If you are in an enclosed building or a place of mass gathering or public places of political interest, always do well to be alert and find the emergency exits points.
• Let a reliable friend or relations know where you are at every given time when moving out of office or home, please. You may sound to be a nuisance, but it is a security measure.
• Avoid jogging or walking alone especially after dark, isolated and poorly illuminated areas.
• If you are driving do not stop over to pick strangers even if they are helpless, especially on the highways.
• If you are traveling, keep a low status at the departure and arrival airport. There is no point demonstrating your higher status at both airports. You could attract criminals.
• Do not log onto free WIFI at the airports or wherever.
• Do not leave your items especially the electronic devices unattended

 

• Take personal responsibility and Have Emergency Action Plan. Take Personal responsibility for your security and Safety by knowing and making visible the emergency contact numbers to call for assistance.
  • Ghana Police Service 191/18555, 
  • GNFS 192 
  • Ghana Ambulances Services 193
  • G7 security Systems Ltd 24/7 control room (vending company) 0302420270/ 0202672687

In taking personal responsibility, establish for you and your family, personal security protocols including:

1. know the nearest police station/ diplomatic embassy to your residence or office to seek shelter in the event of civil unrest or violent attacks.
2. Stay informed via local news,

• Take News updates from your security dept,

1. Ghana Police Service TV etc,
2. Avoid hanging around vulnerable or affected areas e.g. polling stations,
3. Stay in doors and lock both exterior and interior doors, if need be,

• Watch your driving mirrors for suspicious tailgaters,
• Always think of your vehicle safety and lock it when packed or in slow moving traffic,

1. Lock your valuables in a boot of the car and not exposing them on the passengers’ seats especially when you are in slow moving traffic,
2. Avoid traveling alone especially at dawn or late hr.,
3. Take safe and trusted transportation services,

• Secure accommodations facilities,
• Avoid political talks or arguments if possible.

 

• Target Harding – Consider Physical Protection Systems; G7 can provide at moderate cost

Consider improving or implement robust physical security measures and simulate them if they are already installed.

Automated Access Controls Management

Surveillance Cameras,

Electric Fence and

Secure Communication Systems or network.

Locks and keys mgt of your valuables

• Risk Assessment and Management.

Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential threats and develop strategies to mitigate them.

• Sensitizing and Creating Awareness of how to stay safe in the event of election violence. The security dept will take lead responsibility to assist and provide at-risk personnel with comprehensive awareness programs to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to potential security threats to stay safe, e.g. Creating security moments.

Quote: 

Ancient Greek philosopher (Thucydides)

 “The security of the city depends less on the strength of its fortifications than on the state of mind of its inhabitants”.  Your security is the state of your mind.

GOD BLESS YOU

GOD BLESS WAPCO

GOD BLESS G7

GOD BLESS OUR MOTHER LAND GHANA.

 

Thank you.