A security analyst, Adib Saani has called on the National Security Minister to resign following his failure to heed to warning signs following the activities of the Homeland Study Group who say they are fighting for the independence of the ‘Western Togoland’ from Ghana.
The secessionist group at about 3:00am sprang a surprise on the State’s intelligence agencies by blocked various entry points to the Volta Region causing huge gridlock leaving passengers stranded.
It took the intervention of military/police personnel to clear the roads and allow free flow of traffic after about three hours waiting.
Commenting on the issue in a press release, Adib Saani stated that the National Security Minister cannot escape blame as persons in the security space did not spare any moment or mince words, raising serious concerns about the activities and the existential threat posed to the security of Ghana by the group when they first started their move.
“We ignored the early warning signs and thought this was all a joke. We arrest and release, re-arrest and release again. Despite the presence of intelligence officers, they have largely failed to gather actionable intel in real-time.
“Going forward, the over 100 kilometer Accra – Atimpoku – Juapong stretch is very crucial and needs permanent detachment stationed within that enclave. The Adome bridge and the dam are high-value targets that we cannot trade off. Let us invest in human security because largely, these secessionists have some level of Community support.
Adib Saani called for more effective collaboration with Togolese authorities to ensure the group doesn’t engage in cross border activities and the trafficking of weapons to oil their seeming war machine.
Below is the full statement
National Security Minister Must Resign
For failure to heed to warning signs…
When this Togoland issue started, some of us within the security space did not spare any moment or mince words, raising serious concerns about their activities and the existential threat they posed to the security of Ghana.
Unfortunately, over the past few years, they have become more audacious and brazen and we can only expect more. They are able to make strong political statements and control the narrative. They seem to be succeeding into bullying government into submission. They have succeeded in disrupting lives and holding the nation hostage.
Soon, we might go beyond condemning their actions to asking them what their demands are. With a heavy heart, I predict they might start targeting critical infrastructure. They have the capacity and geographical advantage (forest cover and international border) to engage in an assymetrical warfare that could be hard to win.
We ignored the early warning signs and thought this was all a joke. We arrest and release, re-arrest and release again. Despite the presence of intelligence officers, they have largely failed to gather actionable intel in real time.
Going forward, the over 100 kilometer Accra – Atimpoku – Juapong stretch is very crucial and needs permanent detachment stationed within that enclave. The Adome bridge and the dam are high value targets that we cannot trade off.
Let us invest in human security because largely, these secessionists have some level of Community support.
Let us collaborate more effectively with Togolese authorities so the group doesn’t engage in cross border activities and the trafficking of weapons to oil their seeming war machine.
Adib Saani
Security Analyst/Executive Director
Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building
0244985099