Renowned MAJ Dr. E. K. Agyemang (Retired) has successfully unveiled his book titled “Organised Crime and Terrorism: An Emerging Challenge in West Africa.”
The book was reviewed by Prof. Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, Director of FAAR at KAIPTC. The vibrant event took place on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, in Schroder Hall at KAIPTC and garnered substantial attendance from individuals from various walks of life.
Dignitaries present included CoP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, Executive Director of EOCO, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, Chief of Defense Staff, Ghana Armed Forces, and Major General Richard Addo Gyane, Commandant of KAIPTC.
This 490-page book delves into the political, economic, cultural, and other societal dimensions that encompass and underpin the critical issues currently facing the sub-region. During the book review, Prof. Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, Director of FAAR at KAIPTC, lauded the author, MAJ Dr. E. K. Agyemang (Retired), for leading an exemplary life.
MAJ Dr. E. K. Agyemang (Retired) in his address at the launch indicated that the book serves as a concise, yet comprehensive companion on the subject of transnational organized crime.
“It sheds light on the intricate interplay between terrorism and organized crime, where one drives the other. An intriguing aspect of this book is that it provides insight for practitioners, students, development agents, security personnel, judicial officials, and even the press to understand the foundational principles. This knowledge equips them to address these issues more effectively, as the language used is non-technical and accessible to all. Once you begin reading, you won’t want to put it down due to the wealth of information it contains,” he emphasized.
He further stressed that, “the same resources earmarked for combating terrorism and organized crime are crucial for addressing other development issues. Privatization, resource allocation, and leadership are pivotal themes explored in this book. In these challenging circumstances, leadership needs to revisit its approach and adapt to changing mindsets. Leadership reorientation can have a positive impact, particularly concerning transnational crime and terrorism in the sub-region.”
In an interview with Citi News, MAJ Dr. E. K. Agyemang (Retired) highlighted that “Ghana is surrounded by neighboring countries and groups where the impact of these challenges is felt. This doesn’t mean we are isolated; however, we need to set parameters that foster actions to address these concerns. Currently, there are no official identification cards or characterizations of potential terrorists, but the reality is that transnational organized crime is thriving within our borders, often perpetrated by non-Ghanaian entities. Passport fraud, counterfeiting, and illegal mining are among the issues we face. For instance, my recent doctoral-level study examined the illegal gold mining value chain in Ghana, revealing that it includes aspects of national organised crime. Those tasked with addressing these matters should familiarize themselves with this book to better comprehend the dynamics and strategically address the challenges facing our country,” he noted.
He strongly encouraged and recommended stakeholders, especially lawmakers, security agencies, and individuals from all walks of life, to read this book. He revealed that the idea for this book originated in 2007 when he was serving in the military as an observer in Liberia. It was during this time that he realized that information about these topics was scattered throughout various articles.