Part 1: Aflao-Accra Highway - A microcosm of Ghana's security crisis - implications and solutions

As I write this, I am compelled to highlight the alarming lack of security on Ghana's highways. If you're kidnapped and held in the boot of a car, there's little chance of rescue from highway officers. They seem more interested in something more beneficial to them than scrutinizing vehicles. Your fate relies on a good Samaritan providing timely intel to the police. Otherwise, you're at the mercy of your captors.

But that's not all - our borders are porous, and people enter Ghana through approved routes without proper documentation. Illicit goods are also smuggled in with ease. Have you ever wondered how many undocumented individuals are in the country, with no trace of their background? It's a ticking time bomb for national security and our ability to fight crime.

Yes, we are very much aware that Ghana is a peaceful country and we are very welcoming people. But does that mean we should let our doors wide open? Should we compromise our safety and security for the sake of hospitality? We must strike a balance between being welcoming and being vigilant.

Even if we are to let our doors open, what security measures are in place to check and fight against potential threats that could endanger our lives? What strategies are in place to monitor and track suspicious activities? What equipment and resources are available to our law enforcement agencies to effectively respond to security breaches? The answers to these questions are glaringly obvious - we are not adequately prepared to handle the risks associated with our openness.

I can personally attest that the security officers on the road from Aflao to Accra, at the numerous barriers (more than 30!), do not conduct proper checks. The worst offenders are the immigration and customs officials, who seem more interested in something more beneficial to them than than ensuring the safety and security of our country. It's a shameful state of affairs that puts us all at risk. Their Bosses can as quickly as possible disguise themselves and attest to the information’s I have provided.

Despite the numerous checkpoints, people with questionable backgrounds and intentions still manage to enter the country with ease. All it takes is a stuffed pocket and a willingness to bribe their way through especially these drivers operating on the highways. But my concern, and the concern of many Ghanaians, is not about the money. It's about the future of our country. What happens tomorrow when these individuals with bad intentions decide to turn against us? How will we fight them? What's the point of having checkpoints if they're not serving their purpose?

Our country is gradually getting to a stage where, if proper measures are not put in place quickly, we'll be facing the kinds of robbery, killings, and armed groups that we see in some West African countries - and we're not equipped to fight them. Those in positions of power must shift their focus from money-making to ensuring the safety of our country. You may think you're safe today, but who knows? Your relatives may fall into these traps tomorrow. Let us not wait until it's too late. Let us demand more from our law enforcement agencies and our leaders. Let us ensure that Ghana remains a peaceful and safe country for generations to come.

Furthermore, the rising cases of land guards, robbery, killings, and stealing are alarming. It seems like the country is gradually descending into chaos, and those in positions of authority are more concerned with enriching themselves than addressing these pressing issues.

The land guards, in particular, have become a menace, terrorizing innocent citizens and perpetrating violence with impunity. The recent surge in robbery and killing cases is also worrisome, and it's shocking that our leaders seem more focused on their personal gain than ensuring the safety and security of the people they swore to protect.

Meanwhile, none of our politicians seem concerned about the implications of registering foreigners into our voter register database. But have we stopped to think about what happens after that? How will these individuals survive for the rest of the year? Will they still be dependent on the politicians who registered them, or will they become a liability? And if so, do we really think our safety as Ghanaians is assured?

The truth is, our leaders are more concerned with their political power than the security of our nation especially Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo Bawumiah Government . They are willing to compromise our safety for their own selfish interests. But we must not let them get away with it. We must demand more from our leaders. We must demand a secure Ghana, where citizens can live without fear of violence or intimidation. We must demand a Ghana where our leaders prioritize our safety above their personal interests."

"...Let's ask ourselves, how secure is Ghana really? Are we not living in a danger zone? Is it not a fact that foreigners are being encouraged to register on our electoral database, and if tomorrow these individuals turn against us in the form of terrorist groupings, what then?

I have personally witnessed the lapses in our security system traveling on the Aflao Highway numerous times. I have seen individuals entering our country without proper documentation, and it's alarming. The lack of effective checks and balances is a ticking time bomb, and we're sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

Our leaders must wake up and prioritize our national security. We cannot continue to compromise our safety for political expediency. We need to ensure that our borders are secure, our law enforcement agencies are empowered, and our citizens are protected.

The writing is on the wall, and we must heed the warning signs. Let us not wait until it's too late. Let us demand a secure Ghana, where citizens can live without fear of violence or intimidation. Let us demand a Ghana where our leaders prioritize our safety above their personal interests."

"...Who knows, if our security personnel had done their jobs diligently, we might have seen a decrease in kidnapping cases across the country. I reflect on past incidents and current events, seeking ways to learn from our mistakes and move forward positively.

May God bless Ghana and guide us towards a path of peace and security. May our leaders prioritize the safety of citizens, and may our security personnel take their responsibilities seriously. Together, let us work towards a Ghana where citizens can live without fear of violence or intimidation."

By Hon. Simon Yaw Awadzi. awadziyawsimon@gmail.com