National Security Minister, Mr Albert Kan-Dappah has disclosed government’s plan to introduce to Parliament, the National Security Policy on matters of national security to protect the citizenry.
According to Mr Kan-Dappah, the vision of the government is use the National Security Policy to set the stage for a progressive and secured security Governance system.
“We plan to have this document in place before the end of this year.”
Responding to a question on whether the Ministry has plans to introduce a National Security Policy before Parliament for consideration, by MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, the sector Minister noted: “it is our intention to submit the final draft to Parliament for their input.”
He said: “the Policy document will not be submitted to the House as a Bill to be passed into an Act of Parliament.”
“Such has not been the best international practice,” he emphasised.
Mr. Kan-Dappah added that, the consultation with Parliament will therefore be limited to discussions with the Select Committee responsible for National Security and the Leadership of the House.
Background
It has not been the practice in Ghana to have a documented National Security Policy that details a strategic framework and describes how the country provides security for the state and its citizens. However, it has been considered that, there is an urgent need for such a documented National Security Policy.
In October, 2017 the Ministry of National Security therefore set up a Technical Working Group to initiate the process of drafting a National Security Policy.
The Group comprised representatives of Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies; the Academia and known Security Experts.
The Group has made quite some progress.
There have been several consultations with various Ministries and State Departments over the period and they have now come out with a draft detailed National Security Policy document.
The draft document has gone through various validation and review processes with selected Security and Governance Experts as well as Stakeholder consultations with various interest groups and Civil Society Organisations.
Story filed by Edzorna Francis Mensah.
