PRESIDENT MAHAMA’S NATIONAL SECURITY LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS The Institute for Intelligence and Strategic Security (IISS) commends His Excellency President John MAHAMA for swiftly constituting his national security team, first the interim National Security Co-ordinating Committee appointed for the transition period, and the subsequent appointment of substantive National Security Advisor, National Security Co-ordinator, Director-General Bureau of National Intelligence, Director Security Operations at the Presidency and ministers for Defence, Interior, Foreign Affairs and Attorney General. IISS, in its preliminary assessment of the appointments applauds the President for recognizing the need for high level expertise, experience and competence for the management of national security, and in particular the re-instatement of time-tested established standards in appointment of officials for national security management. The Institute assesses the team as solid and professional and meets the technical and professional requirements needed to manage Ghana’s national security. IISS however, observes that the appointment of a serving police officer as National Security Co-ordinator while the officer remains in service of the police which is under the command and control of the Inspector-General of Police is an anomaly, in view of Ghana’s unified national security hierarchical and command structure which is a critical feature of Ghana’s national security architecture. IISS views this development as having potential to undermine effective coordination and operational efforts, especially bothering on matters relating to power balance, influence and authority relative to the Office of National Security Coordinator in maintaining and promoting a unified national security command structure and therefore recommends the retirement of the officer from the police service. It is the expectation of IISS that the new national security management team would demonstrate high level of responsibility, commitment and dedication to the national interest, by promoting and enhancing national security and stability of Ghana rather than pursuing regime security, historically characterized by political suppression and human rights abuses. Given the current security threats facing the country including conflicts, environmental and health threats, food security threats, violent crime, cyber threats and regional threat of terrorism and cross-border crimes, intelligence gathering capability should be enhanced and security agencies resourced and empowered to respond to these threats in a timely and efficient manner. While, it is commendable the swift response by the new National Security Coordinator to the renewed conflict in NKWANTA in the OTI REGION, to assess the situation and assure the people of government’s responsibility to maintain peace in the area, the Institute urges the Coordinator to adopt a non-militarized, conflict-sensitive and do-no-harm approach to dealing with the myriad of conflicts across the country, including BAWKU and increasing conflicts in the mining areas, taking into consideration underlying root causes and complex factors fueling these conflicts and re-evaluation of the effectiveness of kinetic strategies adopted to address conflicts in the country over time. It is the expectation of IISS that the National Security Coordinator, as Head of the Intelligence Community (IC) and Principal Advisor to the President, National Security Council, Chief of Defence Staff and Inspector General of Police and all government agencies and departments on matters of national security would prioritize legal and structural reforms to refine the National Security Council Secretariat into a highly technical and professional center for national intelligence, with a more unified, effective and efficient IC capable of supplying required intelligence in a timely and effective manner to enhance national security. The proposed review of the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030) should provide for a harmonized human resource and recruitment and staffing policy for attracting the needed skills and manpower for the effective performance of the functions of the Office set out in Section 21 of the Act, in pursuance of Article 84 of the 1992 Ghanaian Constitution. Recommendations of the Ayawaso West Wuogon Commission and Ejura Shooting Incident Committee should be rigorously implemented as part of the national security intelligence sector reforms, in particular matters touching on the demilitarization of the National Security Council Secretariat. Re-instating and enhancing time-tested recruitment standards and processes into the intelligence services (Bureau of National Intelligence, Research Bureau and quasi-intelligence outfits) should be pursued to eliminate the practice of infiltration of the intelligence system by political elements and regime operatives, a development that undermines professionalism and integrity of the intelligence system. IIISS further urges that stringent recruitment and appointment procedures for staff to the Office of National Security Coordinator pursuant to Section 23 of Act 1030 be instituted to eliminate the practice of employing party loyalists to perform parallel law enforcement functions which the established security agencies are constitutionally mandated to perform. The NSCS must be staffed with persons with highly specialized and technical skills including specialists and subject matter experts in intelligence, forensics, analysis and key areas of critical need for the office rather than employing persons for basic law enforcement functions. Clear procedures and protocols for secondment of personnel of the established security agencies should be developed and implemented, but coordination of the work of the security agencies should be a major focus rather than directly undertaking of enforcement actions. The Institute also notes with high commendation, the new government’s prioritization of addressing and strengthening regional security and stability in view of current security and political security challenges in the Sahel area, and the challenges facing the regional bloc ECOWAS’ ability to maintain effective regional cohesion and integration among member states and enhanced stability of the bloc, in particular relating to the Sahelian security and political crisis. The appointment of a Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahelian States (ASS) comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger demonstrates the government’s commitment to promoting regional cohesion given the planned exit of the ASS from ECOWAS, and its potential impact on ECOWAS in promoting regional integration, harmony and stability, in particular on Ghana, in view of the relationship between Ghana and the ASS in the area of trade and security. IISS urges the government to employ all diplomatic means to ensure the return of ASS members to ECOWAS, while recognizing the peculiar needs and aspirations of the citizens of these countries and
IISS Commends Ghana For Peaceful Political Transition
IISS Commends Ghana For Peaceful Political Transition The Institute for Intelligence and Strategic Security (IISS) commends the Government and people of the Republic of Ghana for a peaceful transfer of power, following its peaceful December 07 general elections. The successful handover of power to a democratically elected President and Members of Parliament further demonstrates the growing resilience of Ghana’s democracy and an enduring beacon of democracy in Africa. 2. IISS extends its congratulations to President of the Republic H.E John Dramani MAHAMA, Vice President H.E Jane Naana Opoku AGYEMANG, Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban BAGBIN and Members of Parliament on this historic occasion of 9th political transition of the 4th Republic of Ghana. 3. The Institute admonishes the new political leadership of the country to exhibit high level of commitment to good governance and responsibility to the people in the conduct of their public mandates as given by the Ghanaian voters, and to act in manner that ensures free, fair and just society that promotes the general welfare and aspirations of the population, in line with the Directive Principles of State Policy contained in Chapter Six of the 1992 Ghanaian Constitution. 4. IISS as a specialized security think-tank specialized in national security intelligence affairs, in continuing its monitoring, assessment and evaluation of security developments, policies and programs, including tracking of political manifesto commitments and policy proposals of political parties, has taken critical notice of the NDC government’s security sector blueprint and policy proposals contained in its 2024 campaign manifesto for enhancing national security and public safety. 5. It is the expectation of IISS, that the MAHAMA government as a matter of priority would implement drastic, robust and critical reforms to address key factors and challenges affecting the effective and efficient functioning of the security system. The Institute takes notice of, and shall monitor closely proposed key institutional and structural reforms contained in Chapter 6. 4 of the NDC Manifesto, which among others, key priority areas should focus on; a. conducting investigations into recruitment malpractices undertaken by the past government and ensure the security services are purged of all politically recruited and undesirable elements, and restore merit-based recruitments, promotions and appointments into the security services. b. reviewing the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act 2020 (Act 1030) in order to; i. restructure and refine the intelligence community to meet demands of contemporary national security threats and global security dynamics. ii. restore time-tested standard and professional recruitment processes for recruitment, training and re-training of intelligence officers in line with international best practices and intelligence sector governance and national security management. iii. restore and mandate the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI) to conduct vetting of all potential candidates for recruitment and appointment into the security agencies and sensitive establishments. iv. reform the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) into a highly specialized and professional center of national intelligence for the purpose of enhancing national security, defence and protection of the sovereignty of the Republic of Ghana. v. provide a legal framework to guide the direct appointment of staff to the Office of National Security Co-ordinator, to ensure only persons with specialist skills and highly specialized expertise are employed to assist the Co-ordinator in the performance of his functions, with limited secondment of only personnel of the established security agencies to the Secretariat, ensuring that the respective security agencies are empowered to perform their constitutional mandates, without usurpation of the powers and mandates by politically recruited party elements performing parallel law enforcement functions under the auspices of the NSCS. c. Instituting reforms to prevent the misuse of the military in civil matters and empower the police, in collaboration with other security agencies to conduct its constitutional civil security mandate for the maintenance of internal security, law and order. d. Liaise with Parliament to fast-track the operation of an Intelligence Select Committee of Parliament to deepen parliamentary oversight over the intelligence sector in line with the new Standing Order of Parliament. 6. The Institute, in line with its mandate as a professional, non-partisan and independent security think-tank, in offering policy recommendations and advisories to governments for improvement in the management of national security and professional functioning of the intelligence community, would be submitting a full policy paper outlining detailed recommendations and policy options, and engage with relevant stakeholders including the Ministry of National Security, Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior for reforming the national security and intelligence system to combat new and emerging threats to national security, peace and stability. 7. IISS re-iterates its commitment to upholding professionalism in the conduct of national security intelligence and looks forward to working with all relevant stakeholders and similar organizations in promoting national security and international peace and stability. Issued Accra, 07 January 2025. IISS Directorate END. CLick here to download statement More than 2 results are available in the PRO version (This notice is only visible to admin users) All Events News Press Release Publications Research Uncategorized IISS Commends Ghana For Peaceful Political Transition News, Press Release IISS Commends Ghana For Peaceful Political Transition The Institute for Intelligence and Strategic Security (IISS) commends the Government and… Read Full Story… Ghana-Intelligence Chiefs Research Ghana-Intelligence Chiefs PAST NATIONAL SECURITY CO-ORDINATORS Kofi Bentum Quantson, career intelligence officer, former Director Special Branch, 1st Director BNI, 1st… Read Full Story… IISS cautions security personnel against unauthorized disclosure of intelligence Publications The Institute for Intelligence and Strategic Security (IISS) is cautioning security personnel against unauthorized disclosure of classified intelligence and… Read Full Story… Load More End of Content.
Press Release – Leakage of classified national security information
Press Release No. 1/22 June 5, 2022 LEAKAGE OF CLASSIFIED NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION The Institute for Intelligence and Strategic Security (IISS) notes with grave concern recent developments relating to leakage of classified intelligence and national security information into the public domain and calls for thorough investigation into the phenomenon 2. The most recent of this unauthorized disclosure of classified material is the leakage of the National Security Co-ordinator’s intelligence on movement of suspicious elements in border areas in the North-East and Upper East regions. 3. The intelligence signal dated 01/06/2022 to the Chief of Defence Staff and Inspector General of Police meant to ensure security operatives monitor and crack down on criminal elements infiltrating Ghanaian territory leaked into the public domain hours after it was disseminated, calling to question security of classified information and state secrets, especially at a time the nation is on high alert following expansionist drive of violent extremist organizations in the Sahel. 4. It is worthy of note that this particular incident adds to other similar leaks in recent past including the May 12, 2022 memo of the National Security Co-ordinator to religious organizations, 2021 June 15 Police Headquarters Wireless Message on suspected infiltration of armed elements into Upper East just to mention a few. 5. IISS considers this growing trend as not only militating the fight against threat of violent extremism and other forms of threats, but a demonstration of a seeming weakness in our national security intelligence system that presents potential information security vulnerability facilitating access to sensitive security information by our adversaries. 6. The Institute is by this statement calling on the Ministry of National Security to take urgent steps to launch full investigations into these security breaches and prosecute persons found culpable pursuant to applicable laws governing intelligence operations. 7. IISS takes the opportunity to advice citizens about their patriotic responsibility to protect sensitive national security information from unauthorized disclosure which undermines our national security. 8. The attention of all security operatives and persons with access to classified security information and intelligence is drawn to Section 45 of the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act 2020 (Act 1030) relating to unauthorized disclosure of information and identity. Subsection 1: “Subject to the Constitution and to section 43, a person shall not disclose any information obtained by that person or to which that person had access in the performance of functions under this Act or to which that person had access in the administration or enforcement of this Act and from which there can be inferred the identity of any other person who is or was a confidential source of information or assistance to the intelligence agency, or a person who is or was an employee engaged in intelligence activities of the intelligence agencies. (2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than five years and not more than ten years. 9. IISS also re-iterates its continuous call for a review of the recruitment regime that facilitates the entry of undesirable persons into the security and intelligence services, whose employment in these sensitive employment poses threat to national security. 10. The Ministry of National Security and the National Intelligence Services should ensure that persons seeking employment into sensitive establishments are subjected to comprehensive vetting and background checks, while undertaking continuous vetting of employees to rid the security system of undesirable elements. 11. The Institute for Intelligence and Strategic Security remains committed to upholding high ethical and professional standards in the intelligence and national security domain. As an independent professional, non-partisan non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting professionalism and professionalization within the field of intelligence and national security, IISS since its establishment continues to build capacity of security operatives and corporate organizations in intelligence disciplines for the advancement of our national security and defence of the sovereignty and integrity of the Republic of Ghana. 12. IISS seeks to proactively play a leading role in advancing the course of professionalizing the practice of intelligence and national security, with the objective of building confidence and recognized standards of competence in the conduct of national security intelligence. 13. The Institute seeks to champion the agenda of building highly skilled and trained national security and intelligence professionals for the public good. 14. The Institute does not engage in espionage, covert, clandestine or subversive activity or any intelligence operation in support of any person or organization, both within or outside Ghana in furtherance of the unlawful political objective or other motivation of that person or organization, except research, training and advocacy. The Institute however undertakes Open-Source (OSINT) intelligence research and analysis on issues of national security interest and alerts relevant agencies on threats to peace, security and stability of our beloved country. Issued in Accra: 05/06/2022 Signed: Nana Dr. Sadiq Adu-Twum Ag. Director END
Our approach to National Security is taking a paradigm shift
Minister for National Security The Minister for National Security, Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah has indicated that there is a shift in how national security is conducted, with the coming into being of the National Security Policy that embraces all segments of society towards safeguarding peace and security. He observed that issues such as human security, climate change and health were key national security issues. Mr. Kan Dapaah made these observations at a security briefing by a team of security experts currently conducting Assessment of State of Ghana’s Security. The presentation of findings of a study on State and Societal Security was conducted by Principal Investigator, Dr. Ishmael Norman and Co-Principal Investigator Mr. Moses Jatuat. Present at the briefing was Deputy National Security Co-ordinator, Mr. Edward Asomani, Technical Director at the Ministry of National Security, Mr. Ben Dere and a team of experts from the ministry. Findings bothered on issues such as Personal and Community Security, Emergency and Medical Response, Security Vulnerabilities, National capability to respond to threats such as terrorism and violent crimes including armed robberies, kidnapping, rape etc. The team of experts from the Ministry of National Security led by the Hon.Minister expressed satisfaction with the project as findings will help in the Ministry’s plans and strategies in safeguarding peace and security of the country. The Minister called for close collaboration with the Institute for Intelligence and Strategic Security led by Mr. Jatuat and Institute for Security, Disaster and Emergency Studies led by Dr. Norman to conduct yearly security assessment as a way of providing the Ministry effective feedback to support in security planning and response to security threats. On his part, Principal Investigator, Dr. Ishmael Norman assured the minister of the Project’s commitment to supporting the ministry in bridging the gap between security managers and the population by providing useful perspective of citizen appreciation of security. Source: IISS Communication Bureau
IISS Press Release – Re-Designate National Intelligence Bureau As Bureau Of National Intelligence
November 15, 2021 Press release RE-DESIGNATE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE BUREAU AS BUREAU OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE The Institute for Intelligence and Strategic Security has taken keen note of news publication regarding alleged compromise of security information as a result of change in nomenclature of the erstwhile Bureau of National Investigation and accordingly calls for reversal of the old acronym, BNI. 1. News report by Day Break newspaper indicates as a result of the redesignation of the nation’s internal intelligence agency as National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) which bears same acronym with National Investment Bank (NIB), the public is yet to come to terms with the new name, and that official documents meant for the intelligence agency are mistakenly sent to the National Investment Bank. 2. IISS particularly observes that the confusion is avoidable since the redesignation of the BNI to NIB adds no value. It notes that the recently enacted Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030) only sort to change the word ‘Investigation’ to ‘Intelligence’ whereby the new name will have been Bureau of National Intelligence, maintaining the old acronym BNI. 3. It is also worthy of note that, the IISS raised concerns during the consideration of the bill to repeal Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 1996 (Act 526) and replace it with Act 1030, in which the bill sort to remove the word ‘Investigation’ in the nomenclature of the Intelligence Agency. 4. For instance in the memorandum accompanying the bill, the justification for the replacement of ‘Investigation’ with ‘Intelligence’ was to portray the agency as one concerned with intelligence related activities, which in the assessment of the Institute was a misplaced priority since public perception and/or appreciation of the functions of the Bureau as an intelligence agency lie in the proper conduct and exercise of the mandate of the agency and its personnel. 5. The renowned Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of US, analogous to Bureau of National Investigation is a key agency of the US intelligence community responsible for domestic intelligence. By virtue of its name, the critical mandate of the FBI as US main internal intelligence agency has not been lost on the agency. 6. Following the September 11th terrorist attack upon the US and the subsequent setting up of a Commission of Enquiry (9/11 Commission), the Commission did not recommend name change but recommended structural and institutional reforms strengthen the FBI and the US intelligence community to adequately counter threats to US national security. 7. The Government’s initiative through the Ministry of National Security to review Act 526 which had been without amendment since 1996 was also in line with restructuring the Ghanaian intelligence community to meet demands of contemporary threats to internal and external security of Ghana. 8. The Institute however continues to state its clear position that the justification for change in name of the Bureau of National Investigation to National Intelligence Bureau is a highly misplaced priority, in that the Ghanaian public are much appreciative of the work of the Bureau as an intelligence agency and can clearly distinguish between the Bureau and Police as an investigating agency. 9. Granted that, the purpose of the new name was to portray the Bureau as an intelligence agency rather than an investigation body, the replacement of the word ‘Investigation’ with ‘Intelligence’ is sufficient and nomenclature should have remained BNI (Bureau of National Intelligence) rather than National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), a situation that has become a subject of confusion with serious implications for integrity of security information belonging to the Bureau. 10. IISS further re-iterates its earlier position that, in the face of new and emerging threats to national security, such as terrorism and violent extremism, political vigilantism, transnational organized crimes and climate change, the focus of any reforms should be investment in improvement of the intelligence capability of the nation. 11. The Bureau and other elements of the intelligence community such as the Research Department, Department of Defence Intelligence of Ghana Armed Forces, Financial Intelligence Centre, Narcotics Control Commission and the Police Intelligence Directorate should be adequately equipped with modern communication, surveillance and intelligence gathering equipment and logistics for the effective and efficient discharge of their collective constitutional mandate of protecting and defending the sovereignty and integrity of the Republic of Ghana. 12. There is also the need to strengthen recruitment systems and procedures to ensure only qualified, dedicated and loyal citizens are recruited into the Bureau and other intelligence agencies. Signed Moses Jatuat DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR INTELLIGENCE AND STRATEGIC SECURITY ACCRA-GHANA
Press release – CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INTO BREACH OF PRESIDENTIAL SECURITY
The Institute for Intelligence and Strategic Security notes with grave concern recentdevelopments relating to serious breach of security of the President of the Republic, HisExcellency Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo, to wit viral pictures of the president allegedlytaken from the presidential jet and other highly restricted private places by an alleged girl friendof the president one Serwaa Broni. It is particularly worrying that despite the resources available to the national securityapparatus to provide high class security protection for the president and vice-president andtheir spouses, such breach could occur. IISS views this development as having serious potential to undermine the sanctity of theHigh Office of the President of the Republic, dignity of the president and reputation ofGovernment of Ghana, and wish to call on the Bureau of National Intelligence to as matter ofurgency commission investigation to unravel circumstances surrounding this incident andbring officers found to have exhibited unprofessional conduct leading to this unfortunateincident. The Institute also condemns in no uncertain terms the use of social media by the alleged girlfriend and her associates to denigrate the dignity of the President and High Office of thePresident and calls for restraint. The security of the President is a very high national security requirement and should notunder any circumstance be compromised the manner in which it has. IISS by this statementcharges the Ministry of National Security and National Security Council Secretariat to reviewcurrent presidential security arrangements in order to eliminate vulnerabilities andguarantee the highest level of security of the President, Vice President and other class ofpersons as prescribed by law. Additionally, allegations of use of security operatives to cause harm to Serwaa Broni mustbe investigated, and the necessary protection provided her. SignedMoses JatuatDIRECTOR,INSTITUTE FOR INTELLIGENCE AND STRATEGIC SECURITYACCRA-GHANA
