Hackman: Internal security crucial

As aspirants of the various political parties keep criss-crossing the length and breath of the country canvassing for votes from the delegates of their respective political parties in preparation for their congresses, The Independent says one major issue left out of the high and low sounding diatribes has been the issue of Ghana's internal security.

Most of the aspirants have rather concentrated on issues on politics and the economy, and failed to tell the potential delegates of their respective parties their vision on tackling the issue of security to ensure that the general citizenry live in an atmosphere devoid of tension and security threats.

According to the paper, one of the flag-bearer aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, has broken free of the lot and sent strong signals that suggest that, if he should get the nod to lead the party and subsequently become the President of Ghana, he would drastically deal with the perpetrators of attempts to subvert the Fourth Republic.

Speaking to The Independent on his message to delegates during his recent wrap-up campaign tour to the Brong-Ahafo Region, Mr. Owusu-Agyemang, former Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, said, his administration would ensure that there is vigilance that would make it impossible for any political upstart or adventurer to compromise the security of the state.

He said, if that is allowed to happen it would erode all the gains made with the sacrifices and hard work of Ghanaians.

"If we don't do that all our efforts will come to naught if internal security is relaxed such that anybody at all could hold the entire nation to ransom," he affirmed.

Mr. Owusu-Agyemang, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for New Juaben North, said, his government would ensure that adequate and workable security measures are put in place to safe-guard the security of the individual.

The former Minister also told The Independent that, he met all the constituency executives and some of the potential delegates from the 24 constituencies in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

He said, one of the main thrusts of his message to them was that, Ghana has come this far in its forward march to attain excellence in all fields of endeavours largely due to the vigilance of the security agencies. He therefore affirmed that, it will be a grave mistake to take for granted the peace the country is currently enjoying.

The New Juaben North MP gave the assurance that, a government led by Hackman Owusu-Agyemang would guarantee the security of individuals, while ensuring the economic prosperity of all Ghanaians.

He was of the view that, the state security apparatus must be assisted adequately to be functional so as to ensure that they hold intact the internal security of the state.

That is the only way to guarantee the continuation of the growth of our young democracy, and our slow but sure march to economic prosperity.

Mr. Owusu-Agyemang indicated that, his government would also deal with the issue of armed robbery by taking a tough stance against their operations to safeguard the security of the individual Ghanaian.