Things are not normal; Ghana must have honest conversations on security - koranteng Adjei

Security and risk assessment expert Samuel koranteng Adjei has called for urgent national dialogue on Ghana’s security, energy sustainability, education system and youth preparedness, warning that the country may be underestimating emerging threats.

He made the remarks at the inaugural networking and dialogue evening organised by the Nyansa Institute for Strategic Dialogue on Friday, May 8, 2026.

Samuel koranteng Adjei cautioned that Ghana and the sub-region are facing evolving security risks that should not be ignored, pointing to recent incidents involving the retrieval of ammunition caches in parts of the region as a cause for concern.

“We in Ghana, and in the sub-region, tend to think that everything is okay, but things are not as they seem. Things are not normal,” he said.

He stressed that national security must be understood beyond policing, emphasizing the need to examine broader systems including energy, education and technological readiness.

According to him, Ghana’s growing dependence on technology places pressure on energy systems, raising questions about whether production levels are sufficient to meet national demand.

He argued that failure to address energy sustainability could undermine long-term national security and development.

koranteng Adjei also raised concerns about Ghana’s education system, stating that the continued use of outdated curricula is leaving many young people unprepared for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

He called for a review of academic programmes to better align with future job markets and national development needs.

He urged stakeholders to engage in honest and forward-looking conversations about the country’s preparedness for future challenges.

“This is Ghana’s opportunity to rise as a new Ghana,” he emphasised.

Edmund Akoto-Bamfo, Senior Programme Officer and Facilitator at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, educated participants on the “Youth in Leadership and Peacebuilding Course” at KAIPTC.

He noted that countries are currently experiencing a convergence of insecurity, social pressure, and economic challenges, stressing the importance of preparing young people for leadership roles in peacebuilding and national development.

Participants at the forum agreed on the need for stronger youth engagement and proactive national planning to address emerging security and development challenges.

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