The Interior Minister, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has called on security agencies to build stronger relationships with local communities, saying public trust and cooperation are vital to preventing crime and tackling emerging security threats.
He said closer ties between security personnel and residents would encourage people to volunteer information about suspicious activities and support lawful security operations.
Speaking at a meeting with uniformed security personnel in the Western Region, Mr Muntaka said communities played an important role in identifying potential threats, as residents were often the first to notice unusual activities in their neighbourhoods.
He urged security agencies to make community engagement a regular part of their operations rather than waiting until security challenges arise.
“Community engagement must therefore be treated as an essential component of operational effectiveness, not an activity to be undertaken only when problems arise,” he said.
The Minister also called for a more intelligence-led approach to security management, stressing the need for proper planning, effective coordination and regular assessment of potential threats.
He tasked regional security leaders with improving intelligence gathering, identifying emerging threats at an early stage and ensuring that critical information reached decision-makers promptly.
On the fight against drug trafficking, Mr Muntaka said stronger collaboration among the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service and other relevant institutions was necessary to achieve meaningful results.
He also emphasised the importance of cooperation among security agencies in securing the country’s borders, particularly between the Immigration Service, the Police and other relevant institutions.
The Minister further identified illegal mining, organised crime and threats to critical infrastructure as areas requiring coordinated security interventions.
He urged regional commands and directorates to strengthen their working relationships, share intelligence and coordinate operations to prevent duplication of efforts and eliminate institutional silos.
The Asawase Member of Parliament (MP) said a coordinated security system, supported by public trust and timely intelligence, was essential to improving operational effectiveness and protecting communities.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
