Terror Alert!

‘What we feared has happened!” were the words spoken by the Belgian Prime Minister, Charles Michel, to announce the Brussels attacks.

For me, he did not only express the pain of the Belgian people but the fear of many nations especially Ghana. And so, as a Global Citizen, I have chosen to remember the people of Belgium, Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Turkey in my prayers.

The wounds of the Belgians are the freshest and so they’re top on my prayer list. I am, however, haunted by the Prime Minister’s words. I am dreading what will happen if the worse happens. I cannot help but think of my beloved Ghana’s preparedness to counteract any such terrorist attacks should the inevitable happen.

Ghana has been on terror alert since the recent terrorist attacks in neighboring Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. It is extremely worrying that nothing has been heard since the Minister of Communication, Dr. Omane Boamah, issued a press statement informing Ghanaians about the “credible terrorist threats” to Ghana and the sub-region.

A security analyst, Dr. Kwasi Aning, lamented last week over Ghana’s apparent lack of preparedness. He bemoaned that, “… the people that we have mandated to protect us don’t just know jack about what they are looking for and how to get their jobs done. So, somebody is failing somewhere.” This is a quote from a story on Myjoyonline.

This raises pertinent questions which need urgent answers. Are we really prepared? How prepared are we? Is there any sensitization program going on, even in the media? And what role is the media playing in this regard?

Are there any emergency numbers or hotlines for people to call to report any suspicion or emergency? While I do agree, that, vehicular accidents kill more Ghanaians each year, terrorism strikes an irreparable blow of fear to the very psyche of a nation, leaving unimaginable scars of psychological, social and emotional torture and fear on the nation as a whole.

Terrorism calls into question the ability and preparedness of the nation’s citizenry, security agencies and the government to protect and defend its citizens. It creates a gloom and doom sense of vulnerability, insecurity and helplessness. It affects productivity, movement, social activities and tourism. Terrorism deprives people their freedom because it strikes fear at the core of the survival and wellbeing of its victims.

Security on Campuses

I applaud the universities in Ghana for taking steps towards security alert on their respective campuses. I only appeal to the leadership of these universities to protect their personal privacy of both students and staffs.

They must bear in mind that the right to privacy is a fundamental human right issue. Secondly, they must also do more education and sensitization to create a culture of vigilance and alertness on our campuses.

Thirdly, these institutions must establish hotlines or emergency numbers where people within the university communities can report any suspicious activities.

Public Gatherings

I call on churches, mosques, schools, marketplaces, entertainment centers, health facilities to take the initiative to be more security conscious. Gated communities, bus stations, supermarkets, malls must all be alert.

Event organizers for concerts, conventions, and even weddings must employ the services of the police or in their absence select a few young people to serve as watchdogs. Churches and mosques must beef up security henceforth. And religious leaders must themselves be educated and, in turn, educate their members and followers on security matters.

Schools, corporate organizations and others must all be vigilant. Hotels have become the prime targets of most of the attackers and as result they must, as matter of national security, be extra vigilant and observe any unusual behaviors of guests. Behaviors such as guests refusing their rooms to be cleaned for days, remaining indoors for a certain unusual period of time and being excessively friendly or unfriendly among others should be of concern.

Alertness During and After the Easter

The Easter holidays are here. Ghanaians will be gathering not only in the towns in Kwahu but nearly every beach, restaurant, amusement park (like Efua Sutherland and Rattray Parks) will be jam-packed with holidaymakers.

What is the security plan and program in place to forestall any attack?

Easter conventions and other related events will be organized by churches and other religious bodies. Nearly all national and local event centers (e.g. the National Theater, International Conference Center, Cultural Center) will be bustling with musical concerts, plays and other activities during this season. Parents must be concerned about noticeable changes in their young adults and endeavor to be a bit more involved in their lives.

Personal Responsibilities

During the holidays, let us not forget Christ’s own admonition to us “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation…” (Matthew 26: 41). Watch around you. Watch your neighborhood. Watch out for unusual signs and behaviors around. Watch and take note of the number plate of the vehicles you board. Watch and make sure your phone is fully charged before you leave your house to enable you make that important call when need be.

Never leave home without letting family know where you are going. As much as possible, avoid crowded places. And avoid staying out late. Have the police emergency numbers handy and memorized, e.g. 191 and 18555 and numbers of the nearest police station to your neighborhood.. Know your family, friend and neighbor’s number by heart.

We all need to wake up to the reality and the fact that terrorism has changed our way of life for good and, therefore, we all have to adjust to some restrictions and intrusions to enable us win the fight against terrorism.

Ghana is a peaceful country but that does not insulate us against terrorism. We are an integral part of the global citizenry. Far gone are the days when we played the ostrich and thought terrorism was only an American or Middle East affair. Today, terrorism is not only a global issue but a national and indeed a very personal issue for you and me.

Watch and pray and remember that your security is in your hands and God’s as well. Do not leave everything in the hands of government. Fighting terrorism and crime is a shared responsibility. Let us all develop watchful eyes. Let us all play our part and be one another’s keeper. You are the eyes, and the ears of our security agencies.

Finally, let me end with these words of assurance:

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ - (Isaiah 41: 10NKJV)