Security Expert, Colonel Festus B Aboagye (Retired), has said that Ghana must not lose sight of internal sources of threat when it comes to security rather than focusing on the external threats of security such as terrorism and uprising in other countries.
In an interview with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show, he outlined the possible threats to our security by stating: “When it comes to Security, internal sources of threat is what we must focus on as a country. These internal sources fundamentally refer to lack of respect for human rights. In every country that the government does not respect the right of the people, there are often a lot of issues that come with it. One thing too is the quality of life; where someone gets employment opportunity to live life. There is also development-good water, good roads, and good hospitals. These are what we need to focus on. Corruption, for example, is a security issue. If we were to build a hospital, and someone steals part of that money, and we are not able to build the hospital and people die, it will cause an uproar.
Let’s not think that someone from somewhere will come to attack us because certain things we do in our countries are internal threats”.
The issue of the security of the country has been put into question after a series of violence ensued during the voter registration exercise.
Speaking on this issue and matters relating to the military presence during the voter registration exercise, he noted that the military among other things is mandated to protect the country from external aggression and as such he questioned if it was necessary to be present during the registration exercise.
Our neighbouring countries have experienced serious political-related conflicts at a certain point of their Democratic life. Liberia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Cote D’Ivoire readily come to mind when it comes to violence in Africa.
Many people including celebrities, politicians and religious leaders have preached for peace ahead of the 2020 elections.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah