Poverty And Corruption: Causes Of Terrorism In West Africa

Even though in recent times the West African region has witnessed the emergence of major terrorist attacks, however, a security specialist from the United States of America (USA), Mr. John Gerard, has observed that poverty and corruption are the major means of the emergence of the terrorist attacks.

According to the security expert, Ghanaians have to pay particular attention to tensions among Christians and Muslims, poverty, corruption among government agencies and water disputes, which are all happening within the country.

The security expert was speaking on Accra-based Citi FM yesterday.

He explained that Ghanaians should be very serious with issues of poverty and corruption in the country, and not depend solely on the security forces and courts to protect the country from any acts of terrorism attacks.

Mr. Gerard noted that Ghanaians should not be distracted by what has happened in Ivory Coast and neighbouring countries, but rather build peace among the people in the country.

“Terrorism can emerge within the country, not outside the country. In Ghana, there are travelling tensions, religious tension among Muslims and Christians, water disputes, and land disputes which can spark up terrorism in the country,” he stressed.

Mr. John Gerard further cited that there are major forces which have to fight the issues of terrorism in the country, namely the security forces and institutions such as the legislature and also the citizens in the country.

“The security forces, armed forces, police are placed on intelligence, and the institutions such as the courts, civil societies and also government have to be honest towards bringing calm and confidence in fighting terrorist attacks in the country. This will give confidence and calm to the citizens to fight any form of terrorism in the country,” he added.

The security expert noted that fighting terrorist attacks depends on the governments in the West Africa region, adding that “In the case of the Nigerian government, it is doing very well to fight Boko Haram. Here in Ghana, you are doing well. Intuitions in Ghana are doing very well, especially, non-governmental organisations in the country. Ghana is on a good footing to be on top of security issues.”

He said that the citizens of the country should take up the responsibility of fighting terrorism by studying the electoral patterns during elections, and help secure peaceful co-existence among Christians and Muslims in the country.

By Chris Twum ( [email protected] )