Stakeholders in the Savannah Region have called for stronger measures to tackle chieftaincy disputes, boundary conflicts and artificial intelligence-generated misinformation as Ghana undertakes a review of its National Security Strategy.
The concerns were raised during a regional consultation organised by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) on November 5, 2026, at the Regional Coordinating Council Conference Hall in Damongo.
The engagement forms part of nationwide consultations to review Ghana’s 2020 National Security Strategy and develop a framework capable of responding to evolving security threats.
Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Be-Awuribe Issifu, urged stakeholders to move beyond conventional approaches to security management and embrace proactive measures that anticipate and prevent emerging threats.
He stressed that national security extended beyond the traditional operations of security agencies, arguing that virtually every aspect of national life had a security dimension.
He cited chieftaincy disputes, boundary conflicts, inter-communal tensions, hate speech and the abuse of social media as concerns requiring coordinated attention.
The Minister particularly advocated the documentation and codification of traditional succession systems to prevent recurring chieftaincy disputes, urging security institutions to strengthen collaboration with traditional authorities.
He also cited the misuse of artificial intelligence-generated photographs and videos during the Gbenyiri conflict as an example of how digital misinformation could inflame tensions and worsen security situations.
Mr Be-Awuribe Issifu described the consultation as an important opportunity for the Savannah Region to contribute to shaping national security priorities, urging participants to propose practical solutions to challenges confronting their communities.
He acknowledged that although many security threats were already known, Ghana needed a strategy that would enable institutions to anticipate and stay ahead of them rather than merely respond after they had occurred.
Speaking on behalf of the NSCS, its Director of Legal and Compliance, George Loh, said the consultations were intended to ensure that the revised strategy reflected the experiences and concerns of different sections of society.
He said the exercise brought together government institutions, traditional and religious authorities, political parties, civil society organisations, the media, educational institutions, organised labour, youth groups, women’s associations and persons with disabilities.
Mr Loh explained that the process was consultative, with all submissions documented and forwarded to the committee responsible for reviewing the strategy for consideration.
He disclosed that the review had progressed through its initial planning and pre-drafting stages, with the Secretariat commencing wider consultations following the preparation of a Zero Draft of the revised strategy.
The process will also involve engagements with the Joint Intelligence Committee, Parliament’s Select Committee on Security and Intelligence, civil society organisations and the media before the final document is submitted to the National Security Council for consideration and approval.
The revised strategy is expected to strengthen inter-agency collaboration, improve regional security coordination and promote greater public participation in safeguarding national security.
The NSCS also urged journalists to report responsibly on the review, stressing the importance of accurate, balanced and contextual reporting in promoting public understanding while safeguarding national security interests.
The exercise is being undertaken in line with the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2026 (Act 1168), which provides an updated legal framework for national security coordination.
The Secretariat has clarified that the review is a statutory and proactive governance exercise and should not be interpreted as an indication that Ghana is facing an immediate national security crisis.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
