The National Security Secretariat has confirmed reports a Ghanaian student has left the country to join terror group, Islamic State (ISIS) but says it has been in full control of the issue long before its publication and thus asked the public not to panic or entertain any fears.
National Security Coordinator, Yaw Donkor, gave the assurance yesterday when he met a selected number of Editors from both the state and private media on the matter. The media houses present were the New Crusading Guide, The Daily Guide, The Chronicle, The Insight, The Herald, The Daily Post, The Daily Telegraph, GBC, The Ghanaian Times, The Dispatch and the Daily Graphic.
Present at the meeting were the National Security Advisor, Alhaji Baba Kamara and Col. Nimbo, also of the National Security Secretariat.
According to Mr. Yaw Donkor, National Security is also aware that a handful of Ghanaian youth may also have made their way to Syria to join ISIS. He said his outfit is aware that universities campuses are targets for recruitment by the terrorist group. He also said the Secretariat is investigating a number of institutions to ascertain if they have links with ISIS or not.
The National Security Co-ordinator, aided by the National Security Advisor, explained to the journalists how terror groups like ISIS go about recruiting unsuspecting youths especially from the Zongos and mosques. He also touched on measures his outfit has embarked in collaboration with the Chief Imam and other Muslim clerics to ensure Muslim youths do not fall victim to the terror group's seeming charms.
Mr. Donkor further explained that recruitment by ISIS may not be limited to any section of the public, cautioning that even Christians are vulnerable. He called on parents to take much more interest in what their wards are engaged in, the kind of literature they are reading, change in their behavior or mood and monitor them closely.
Alhaji Baba Kamara cautioned against the kind of reportage by media houses that will seek to sensationalize the issue and end up creating fear and panic in the society. He asked journalists to also be mindful of the fact that the dangers ISIS poses is a national security matter and therefore reportage on the issue must be devoid of partisan political colouration. He also explained how National Security has been working together with the leadership of Muslims in the country to thwart any attempt by hardliners to conscientize Muslim youths.
