Security Experts Challenged

A three-week course on the Fifth Security Sector Governance and Management has commenced in Accra, with a call on the military to brace itself to confront new challenges that may arise as a result of the oil find.

The Chief of Staff and Minister for Presidential Affairs, Kwadwo Mpiani, who threw the challenge, tasked the military to as well be battle-ready to deal with all kinds of threats to national security that may crop up because of the oil 'boom'.

Mr. Mpiani said businesses would not only be relocated to the Western Region and other parts of the country to provide goods and services, but other people from the sub-region would as well flock the country to do business.

He said it was in that light, taking a cue from the experiences of Nigeria and other oil producing countries, that discussions had been initiated on the best way to manage the resource and its resulting challenges.

He said government was committed to the effective management and resolution of conflicts to further enhance the peace Ghana is enjoying.

The Minister said the notion of what constitutes security had changed in recent times as it is viewed as an all-embracing condition which guarantees the freedom, peace and safety of the citizenry, thereby enabling them to fully participate in the governance process.

Mr. Mpiani added that the process also include the protection of fundamental human rights of the people while guaranteeing access to resources, noting that emphasis was now on human security which combines the elements of national security, economic development and basic human rights with the objective of protecting people from fear of violence.

He commended the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College for instituting courses of such nature, and hoped that the knowledge gained by participants would be put into practice.

The 46 participants were drawn from the security agencies, ministries, departments and other stakeholders; they would be taken through courses in security, governance and management.

The course, which was instituted four years ago, was meant to bring stakeholders together to discuss security with the view to enhancing understanding.

By Abubakar Salifu