National security must be built beyond Accra – Muntaka

Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has urged the Ashanti Regional Security Council and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to adopt an intelligence-led approach to security management as Ghana implements the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2026. Mr Muntaka emphasized the importance of preventing security threats before they escalate instead of reacting after incidents.

He stressed the need for stronger coordination among security agencies, local assemblies, and community leaders, highlighting that no single institution possesses all the information required to effectively manage Ghana's evolving security landscape. The Minister stated that national security cannot be secured solely from Accra but must be built in regions, districts, and communities.

MMDCEs are crucial to Ghana's security architecture due to their close engagement with communities, allowing them to identify emerging tensions and developments within their areas. The Minister urged for prompt sharing of local-level information with relevant security agencies and stakeholders. Additionally, Mr Muntaka called for REGSEC to focus on emerging patterns rather than treating security incidents as isolated events, particularly when criminal activities spread between municipalities or local disputes could affect neighboring districts.

He commended the Ashanti Regional Minister and REGSEC for their commitment to peace but stressed the need for continued collaboration among all security actors at regional and local levels.