Joseph Addae Akwaboa urges review of Ghana's National Security Strategy

Bono Regional Minister Joseph Addae Akwaboa has called on the National Security Council Secretariat to incorporate modern, emerging threats into the ongoing review of the National Security Strategy (NSS). Speaking at a stakeholder engagement, the minister emphasized that the evolving security landscape requires a significant shift from traditional military-focused responses toward a more comprehensive and proactive framework. He noted that the safety of the state is increasingly linked to domestic stability and the protection of individual citizens in their daily lives.

Akwaboa specifically highlighted several pressing issues that he believes must be prioritized in the revised national strategy. These include the rising concerns over highway safety, persistent land disputes, and the growing vulnerability of the youth to social and economic pressures. The minister argued that addressing these localized challenges is critical to maintaining national stability, as such issues often serve as precursors to broader civil unrest or institutional instability if they remain unmanaged by the central government.

Furthermore, the minister stressed the necessity of adapting to sophisticated contemporary risks, particularly cybercrime and the threat of violent extremism currently affecting the West African sub-region. According to Akwaboa, modern national security should be defined by the state’s ability to ensure a safe environment through stronger governance and anticipatory measures. He urged security agencies to move beyond reactive policing and instead develop a strategy that anticipates threats before they manifest.

In his concluding remarks, the Regional Minister encouraged all relevant stakeholders to provide constructive feedback to ensure the NSS remains a robust and relevant document for the years ahead. He noted that a well-crafted strategy would not only protect the nation's borders but also create a secure atmosphere conducive to economic growth and democratic stability within the Bono Region and across the entire country.