BONO REGIONAL MINISTER CALLS FOR EMERGING SECURITY THREATS TO BE ADDRESSED IN NEW NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY

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The Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Addae Akwaboa, has urged the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) to pay particular attention to emerging security challenges in the Bono Region as it undertakes a review of the country’s 2020 National Security Strategy (NSS).

He identified highway insecurity, chieftaincy and land-related conflicts, youth vulnerability, substance abuse and fraudulent activities targeting rural communities as key concerns requiring stronger attention in the proposed strategy.

According to the Regional Minister, the safety of farmers, traders and transport operators on major highways was particularly important to the region’s economic activities. He also stressed the need to address fraud schemes affecting market women and residents of rural communities, noting that Bono’s position as a major transit corridor presented additional security considerations.

These concerns were contained in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Bono Regional Coordinating Director, Ms. Golda Grace Asante, at a stakeholder consultation on the review of the 2020 National Security Strategy. The engagement was held on 29th October 2026, at Abesim, near Sunyani, and organized by the National Security Council Secretariat.

The consultation attracted representatives from security agencies, government departments and institutions, civil society organisations, the student community and other stakeholders.

Hon. Akwaboa emphasised that an effective national security framework must extend beyond conventional law enforcement to encompass the protection of livelihoods, economic activities and the general well-being of citizens. He explained that farmers, traders, students and business operators all required safe environments to carry out their respective activities.

He further observed that a clearly defined security strategy enabled authorities to identify potential threats early, coordinate interventions and prevent incidents rather than waiting to respond after they had occurred.

The Regional Minister also highlighted the close relationship between national security and other development priorities, including food security, youth employment, healthcare delivery, environmental sustainability and effective governance.

He noted that the 2020 National Security Strategy had provided an important framework for the operations of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), Municipal and District Security Councils (MESEC/DISSEC) and other security institutions over the past six years. However, he maintained that changing security dynamics made a comprehensive review necessary.

Among the broader threats he identified were the growing incidence of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel region, the spread of small arms, cross-border criminal activities and irregular migration. He cautioned that developments in neighbouring countries could have implications for Ghana’s security, making vigilance and preparedness increasingly important.

The growing use of digital platforms for criminal activities was another area of concern. He cited cybercrime, mobile money fraud, internet scams and the circulation of misinformation on social media as emerging threats capable of undermining public confidence and creating tension within communities.

Additionally, the Regional Minister drew attention to the security implications of climate change, competition over land and water resources, chieftaincy disputes and rising substance abuse among young people.

He called for these concerns to inform the ongoing review to ensure that the revised strategy reflected the realities confronting communities and provided practical responses to both existing and emerging threats.

Speaking on behalf of the National Security Council Secretariat, the Head of Legal and Compliance, Mr. George Loh, encouraged participants to contribute candidly to the consultation process.

He explained that the Secretariat was committed to producing an updated National Security Strategy that would respond effectively to the country’s changing security environment. He therefore urged stakeholders to offer constructive assessments and realistic, implementable recommendations to guide the development of the new framework.

The engagement formed part of efforts to gather inputs from stakeholders across the country towards developing a more responsive and comprehensive national security strategy.