Ghana has been on ‘terror target list’ for ten years – Dr. Aning

Dr. Emmanuel Kwasi Aning, Head of the Department of Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has disclosed that Ghana has been on terror target list for about ten years now.

Speaking on Atinka FM AM Drive hosted by Kwame Adinkra Thursday, Dr. Aning said he was not surprised that the country has been blacklisted by a terror group, explaining that Ghana has been contributing to peacekeeping in the sub-region “so it’s natural for the country to be a terror attack target.

Touching on efforts to halt these threats, the respected security expert said the security authorities must build confidence and trust among the public.

He said, situations like these need a collaborative approach from both the security and the ordinary Ghanaians, adding that the public needs to be on alert, vigilant and provide vital, hands-on and useful information on the grounds to the police and other security agencies.

“The people must report to the police any suspicions when they see any strange people or activities,” he advised.

Dr. Aning further advised the security authorities to try very hard to let the people have confidence and trust to promote effective security .

"There must be a Public education on security alert through the mass media and other public venues where needed by the security.

"They must endeavor to make any little information from the people useful for investigations sake," he said.

He observed that it was quite unfortunate that the trust between the security authorities and the public has not been the best in recent times due to mishandling of some issues by the nation’s security.

He therefore urged the authorities to immediately bridge the trust gap to help confront any impending terror threat.

Dr Aning concluded that everybody in Ghana has a role to play as far as tightening the country’s security system is concerned.