In the last couple of days, the National Democratic Congress held a press conference asserting that Ghana is in a state of insecurity.
That political action, it is clear, was based on their unyielding resolve to run government down by mere propaganda.
From their analysis of the crime situation in Ghana alone, they are contending that Ghana has gone to the dogs, though they know that the threat transcends politics or regions, communities and constituencies.
From attempts to resolve the murder of an aspiring MP from the Central Region through the equally chilling story of JB Danquah and Ahmed Suale, only a mischievous politician would conclude that government is doing nothing to sustain the country’s security.
Justifiable concerns
Of course, to wake up one morning and hear that a police officer doing his lawful duties has been murdered in the heart of Accra, and his weapon take away by the armed robbers in another act of impunity, is certainly disturbing. It justifiably ought to elicit concern from civil society and national security actors.
To hear, too, that young people, in the name of Sakawa or ritual money, are killing playmates ought to elicit concern. Additionally, for a community to hear and see in broad daylight armed robbers burgling a forex bureau in Osu RE should attract concern from any sane and sober citizen.
That is why we at the Daily Statesman, like all other Ghanaians, worry about the attack on our society by insane youth from among us.
As we would all admit, there is a whole world of difference between concern and finger pointing, particularly when the records show that the New Patriotic Party administrations – first under President JA Kufuor and now under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo – have shown good faith in equipping and motivating our policemen and women more than the opposition NDC.
History
If we may recall, we were treated to a string of criminal activities from Takoradi into the neighbourhoods of Kumasi that involved kidnappings.
That is aside of the incidents of banditry that rocked our eastern corridor cross-border trade routes, particularly along the Tamale-Upper East stretch, in which cargo drivers were attacked and robbed.
That the government was compelled at a point to assist political appointees, including NDC MPs, showed that some attempt to mitigate the situation was under way, while we looked holistically at the trend to design a holistic strategy aimed at containment and deterrence.
Goof
But the goof in all the NDC propaganda about Ghana being insecure is that we just got noticed by the UN Security Council as a potential ally in Africa in helping improve security around the globe and Africa and the sub-region, for that matter.
That was after we had scored appreciably in the current Global Peace Index. And, as we saw by the accounts of the Ghana National Investment Promotion Centre, the scramble for investors to head for Ghana has provided basic evidence that we have the environment and the resilient structures as well as the systems that help generate livelihoods and enhance fulfilment.
The lingering noise, therefore, about instability and systems having broken down is simply not washing, except the intention is an attempt to paint government black and discourage investors and investment for political profit.
Of course, we have had quite a mouthful of the activities of these hardened criminals. That naturally attracts some genuine concerns, and the level of concern is heightened when only Kasoa and Kumasi provide alarming cases.
That, however, should not provide basis for writing off the police or government, for that matter, and declaring that government is presiding over a state of insecurity.
Cherishing our image
Ghana has been known in global circles as a partner in peace-building and conflict resolution. We therefore have a solid image from Lebanon through Cambodia to Somalia.
We have a perfect example in how our eminent chiefs resolved decades of conflict among brothers and sisters in Dagbon.
That certainly should embolden us to engineer collective solutions to licking these beasts among us so that together we can help improve social stability in our neighbourhoods, communities, constituencies, districts and regions.
Let the experts speak
During such critical periods, we believe it is the opinion and analysis of the experts that we should be seeking to enable us find our way out of the dark, not the blind politician seeking bread and comfort for today.
Thankfully, no expert has censured police or the government for creating or adding to the problem. All we at the Daily Statesman hear and see are attempts at solution, and that’s the way all responsible citizens and groups contribute to good governance.
Irrespective of our backgrounds and interests, we all owe it a national duty to contribute to sustaining our peace and security.
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