Oil companies pose no danger to our intelligence – Ghana military

Col. Atintande

The presence of oil companies in the restricted Ghana Air Force enclave in Takoradi has no security implications whatsoever, Director of Public Affairs for the Ghana Armed Forces, Colonel Mbawine Atintande has said.

The air force, according to Col. Atintande, has adequate measures in place to ensure its intelligence information is properly secure.

He was responding to concerns that the country's intelligence could be jeopardised with the current arrangement where the oil companies, largely foreign multinationals, are operating from the air force base in Takoradi.

Some civil society organisations and politicians have raised concerns about the situation, fearing the companies could be using their proximity to the military installation to undertake covert operations and intelligence gathering for their home countries.

An official at the Energy Ministry is quoted by the Daily Graphic as saying that “…any sensitive information exchanged by the national security could be monitored or intercepted by anybody standing by the building, a situation which is not the best.”

But Col. Atintande told Joy FM's Super Morning Show, the fears are unjustified.

In any case if any person or group of persons desire to intercept intelligence communication of the air force, he insisted, they do not need to be close to the air force base to do so.

“The companies themselves would not have necessarily just walked into the premises and taken the space. These have been given out by the armed forces for a particular purpose and I don't think that there is any problem with that.

“We have the capability to be able to ensure that at least our communication is not intercepted,” he stated.

“Nothing will happen,” he assured, adding, “we are taking care of any issues relating to any” attempt by any company to tap our intelligence communication.

Story by Ghana l Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline.com