The National Security Coordinator, COP Osman Abdul Razak has warned that attacks on security agencies and facilities will not go unpunished.
Speaking at the commissioning of the National Signals Bureau (NSB) Eastern Regional Office in Koforidua on Wednesday, COP Abdul Razak said the recent upsurge in attacks on security personnel and facilities must end.
“It is at this juncture that I wish to draw a caution about the recent upsurge in attacks on security agencies and security facilities. It ends now. All those who think they can take the law into their hands to attack security personnel or facilities will not go unpunished,” he said.
COP Abdul Razak noted that in recent times there has been an upsurge in the use of social media and digital platforms to disrupt social cohesion.
“In recent times, we need to note that there has been an upsurge in the use of social media and the digital platform to promote acts which do not adhere to the benefits of our democracy and as such disrupt our social cohesion. Cyber criminals are exploiting Ghana’s digital space to defraud citizens and institutions,” he said.
He warned that violent extremists and terrorists can also capitalize on digital platforms.
“Equally, we need to note that violent extremists and terrorists can also capitalize on this and it is for this strategic reason that this office is of immense importance to all of us,” he added.
He added that the NSB is mandated to counter threats to security and national well-being.
“They are also to counter threats to security and national well-being. Let me repeat, counter threats to security or national well-being. They are also to help in the prevention of the commission of serious offenses. They are also to deter the commission of such offenses,” he stated.
The National Security Coordinator however cautioned NSB staff to discharge their duties with integrity.
“We just caution about the public attacking you and attacking the facilities, but we will hold you to a higher edge that you must also discharge your duties with integrity so that you don’t call for the distrust of the general public,” he stated.
COP Abdul Razak announced that the NSB has a growing network of cell towers across the country with nationwide coverage for surveillance.
“The NSB has a growing network of cell towers across the country and has installed over 10,000 CCTV cameras nationwide and we intend to expand this. We intend to expand this coverage to deter crime,” he said.
He added that data and capabilities generated in the Eastern Region will be analyzed at the Koforidua facility.
“The data and capabilities generated by this asset in the Eastern Region will be analysed right here in this very facility, making Koforidua a key node in our national security network,” he stated.
The National Security Coordinator urged the Ghana Police Service to collaborate with the NSB facility and make maximum use of it.
“I wish to take this opportunity to urge the Ghana Police Service, who are the forerunners of internal security, to make maximum use of this facility by collaborating with the staff here,” he said.
He noted that the NSB serves as a force multiplier for the regional security sector.
“Note, however, that the security of the region is not that of NSB alone. It is a collective responsibility. And furthermore, the office only serves as a critical force multiplier for the regional security sector and so can also help direct it in its duties,” he stated.
COP Abdul Razak described the NSB building as meeting 21st century intelligence capabilities.
“This building meets all the requirements of our 21st century capabilities when it comes to intelligence and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Director General and his able staff for this magnificent job,” he said.
He noted that the facility is technologically advanced and grounded in the local context.
“These threats require a coordinated and proactive intelligence response, one that is technologically advanced, grounded in the local context and agile enough to adapt to all evolving threats,” he stated.
The National Security Coordinator explained that the NSB is mandated by Act 1040 to perform several functions including monitoring, collecting and analyzing information from cyberspace.
“As per the Act 1040, the law that governs the National Signals Bureau, the National Signals Bureau is established to perform several functions, including the monitoring, collecting and analyzing, as well as retaining and disseminating in a secure manner information and intelligence from cyberspace, electronic media, electromagnetic signals and other communications within our country,” he said.
Richard Aniagyei
