Akufo-Addo launches Ghana’s first national security strategy document

President Akufo-Addo has launched Ghana’s first National Security Strategy Document and commissioned the new National Security Ministry building in Accra.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nana Akufo-Addo said the document will serve as the overarching guide for Ghana’s security agencies and their operations.

He said the document will help to better secure the country and guarantee the safety of citizens, adding that Ghana cannot attain sustainable development if its security issues are not attended to.

“A prerequisite for the sustainable development of the nation is a secure environment that guarantees the safety of the people, and the preservation of its territorial integrity. It is only when these things are assured that citizens can live peacefully and strive to improve constantly the quality of their lives,” the President said.

“The existence therefore of an overarching strategy capable of guiding the nation in realizing these goals is crucial,” Akufo-Addo added.

Processes for the development of the national security strategy document commenced in 2017 with inputs from various stakeholders including Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, Civil Society Organizations, and security experts.

According to President Akufo-Addo, the launch of the document is historic and will better prepare Ghana to face present and future threats.

“Since our nation was founded 64 years ago, Ghana has never had a security strategy that defines the country’s approach to preserving its peace, security, and stability and the plans it has to confront current and future threats. To achieve this, it is imperative for the appropriate national security strategy which will serve as a pivot around which Ghana’s national security will revolve to be produced.”

He said the vision of the document is to “maintain Ghana as an open, tolerant, socially cohesive, peace-loving, people-centred, secure and united and prosperous constitutional democracy that upholds the rule of law” and establish the country as one that protects its people, land, culture, and values.