Deputy Interior Minister urges early action to prevent security threats in Volta

The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, has urged local authorities and security agencies in the Volta and Oti Regions to strengthen early-warning mechanisms and address emerging security threats before they escalate into violence.

He said effective collaboration among Regional Security Councils (REGSECs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), and security and intelligence agencies was essential to identifying potential threats and sustaining peace in the two regions.

Mr Terlabi made the call at the opening of a workshop for the Volta and Oti Regional Security Councils, MCEs and DCEs in Ho.

He noted that regional and local authorities were strategically positioned to identify security concerns within their communities, engage relevant stakeholders and resolve disputes before they threatened public safety.

The Deputy Minister therefore urged the officials to promote dialogue, respond promptly to grievances and maintain close cooperation with security agencies to preserve law and order in their respective jurisdictions.

He stressed that peace and security remained critical to national development, providing the necessary conditions for economic activities, education, investment and social cohesion.

Mr Terlabi cautioned against taking Ghana’s reputation as a peaceful and stable country for granted, saying public officials had a collective responsibility to protect the country’s peace and secure a safer future for generations to come.

He also called for sustained vigilance against cross-border criminal activities, including trafficking, smuggling, and organised crime, particularly in border communities.

He emphasised that efforts to combat such activities should go hand in hand with maintaining cordial relations among communities on both sides of the borders.

The Deputy Minister said a coordinated approach involving local authorities, security institutions and community stakeholders would help strengthen security management and prevent criminal elements from exploiting gaps in cooperation.

The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, called for a renewed, capable security workforce, stressing the need for personnel from the various institutions to understand and effectively execute their mandates.

He urged participants to pay close attention to the workshop’s deliberations and apply the knowledge gained to improve security management in their respective areas.

Mr Gunu further encouraged the participants to work towards improving the image of security institutions and strengthening public confidence in their operations.

He said effective security management required professionalism, institutional cooperation, and a commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities assigned to each agency.