The National Security Council has called for public vigilance, revealing Tuesday Ghana faces a credible terrorist threat.
After a meeting called at the behest of President John Mahama, the Council advised the general public to be cautious, curious, and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
Chaired by the President, the National Security Council reviewed the security situation in the country in the wake of an upsurge of terrorist attacks in the West Africa sub-region – Mali, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire — and current intelligence on extremist activities in the region.
A statement issued after the meeting by Communication Minister, Edward Omane Boamah, urged Ghanaians and other nationals resident in Ghana to bear with security measures that may be enforced at various locations from time to time for the purpose of public safety.
The statement said the National Security Council on the basis of briefings by the intelligence agencies and partners has determined that there is a credible terrorist’s threat to all countries in the sub-region.
The meeting also reviewed Ghana’s anti-terrorism preparedness, joint services operations and other measures to ensure the safety of the citizenry.
The Council will review the country’s security situation on a continuous basis, the statement urged.
Attacks on Cote D’Ivoire last Sunday in three hotels in the beach resort city of Grand-Bassam claimed 16 lives, while in January a similar attack at a hotel in Ouagadougou killed 28 people and injured a further 56.
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has claimed responsibility for both attacks that targeted foreign nationals.
Ghana has since been on high security alert after the siege on its neighbours, with many analysts doubtful about the country’s ability to forestall a possible attack.
Parliament on Monday, March 14 met with top security chiefs to discuss the country’s preparedness to respond to a possible terror threat.
