Ghana cannot afford complacency over extremist threats – Agalga

Ghana must avoid complacency regarding extremist threats, Majority Leader James Agalga has cautioned, emphasizing the need for heightened border security. Recognizing the country's exposure to transnational security risks due to its geographic position, Agalga stressed the importance of bolstering intelligence gathering and cooperation among security agencies.

Over the past two years, the Ghana Armed Forces and other agencies documented 47 cross-border incursions and over 300 arrests related to efforts to recruit individuals into extremist groups along Ghana's northern frontier. Agalga, who leads Parliament's Defence and Interior Committee, shared these findings at the 9th REPAM-CDS Security Governance Conference, where he urged the country to fortify its security and governance frameworks to effectively counter emerging threats.

He also noted a significant rise in cybercrime and fraud cases, indicating that Ghana's security challenges have transcended traditional boundaries. "Our 2024 crime statistics reveal a 12.3 percent surge in cybercrime and fraud, underscoring the shift towards non-traditional threats," he remarked, highlighting the evolving nature of the security landscape.