Mr Francis Poku, a former National Security Coordinator, has called on security personnel to exercise restraint and avoid using extreme force when handling matters involving civilians. He emphasized that Ghanaian society is one of mercy, and security agencies should handle issues in a reasonable manner to prevent conflicts.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Western Regional Roundtable with the youth, which addressed trending conflicts in the region under the Sahel Peace Initiative in Ghana, Mr Poku expressed concern about the increasing incidents of brutality and altercations between security agencies and civilians. He stressed the importance of addressing this situation to build trust between the public and security forces.
The Sahel Peace Initiative, led by the National Catholic Secretariat of Ghana in collaboration with the Catholic Relief Services, aims to raise awareness about violent conflicts and advocate for positive change.
Research indicates that Ghana faces an imminent risk of violent extremism spillover from the Sahel region, as its borders with Burkina Faso, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire remain porous. This risk is further compounded by localised communal, chieftaincy, land, and intra-religious conflicts in certain parts of the country.
Mr Poku highlighted the necessity of guarding against actions that threaten Ghana’s internal security, as they could provide opportunities for external militants to recruit youth into violent extremism.
During the meeting with the youth, stakeholders engaged in open and constructive discussions to identify and analyze trending conflict issues that could contribute to the rise of violent extremism or radicalization. The objective was to strategize and avert potential conflicts with the active involvement of the youth.
Mr Francis Poku’s advice serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and non-violence in handling security matters to maintain social harmony and prevent escalation into conflicts.
