Stakeholders in the Savannah Region have called for stronger measures to address chieftaincy disputes, boundary conflicts and the growing threat of artificial intelligence-generated misinformation as Ghana reviews its National Security Strategy.
The concerns were raised during a regional stakeholder engagement organised by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in Damongo on Thursday, November 5, 2026, as part of consultations to update the country’s 2020 National Security Strategy.
Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Yussif Be-Awurbe, said national security must extend beyond the conventional operations of security agencies to cover broader development and social concerns.
He identified chieftaincy and boundary disputes, inter-communal tensions, hate speech and the abuse of social media as threats requiring urgent and coordinated attention.
Mr Be-Awurbe particularly called for the documentation and codification of traditional succession systems to minimise disputes, urging security institutions to work closely with traditional authorities to protect the region’s peace.
He cited the use of artificial intelligence-generated photographs and videos during the Gbenyiri conflict as an example of how digital misinformation could inflame tensions and aggravate security challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the NSCS, its Director of Legal Affairs, George Loh, said the review was necessary to ensure Ghana’s security framework kept pace with changing threats, particularly those driven by technological advancements.
He explained that the Secretariat was consulting stakeholders across all 16 regions to gather perspectives and recommendations for a revised strategy.
Mr Loh said the review would adopt a citizen-centred approach, stressing that national security was a shared responsibility rather than the exclusive preserve of security agencies.
He added that submissions from the regional consultations would be assessed by a review committee and incorporated into the revised document where relevant before its submission to the appropriate authorities for approval and adoption.
The review 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 NSCS has clarified that the exercise is a statutory and proactive governance process and should not be interpreted as evidence of an immediate national security crisis.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
