Representatives from the governments of the United States of America and Ghana have participated in the 4th Security Governance Initiative (SGI) Steering Committee Meeting to deliberate on progress so far made by the various committees on the implementation of SGI.
At the committee meeting held at the Marriott Hotel in Accra, SGI focus area leads briefed Steering Committee members on progress and next steps to take as far as the SGI is concerned.
Giving brief addresses at the opening of the steering committee meeting, National Security Coordinator, Joshua Kyeremeh, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Christopher J. Lamora, and United States Ambassador (retired) Michael Arietti all underscored the commitments of both countries to improving security sector governance in Ghana.
Michael Arietti the SGI is aimed at improving revenue collection, prevent illegal fishing and speed up justice delivery in the country.
He also said the development of strategic bonds such as the SGI between Ghana and the USA will help improve the ability of policies to deal with violations of laws, help government to achieve economic development goals set out by the state.
The minister for National Security, Hon Kan Dapaah said the SGI initiative has the potential of improving security management, border management, cyber and port security and expressed confidence that the Committee will work and present a common policy document that will be looked at by policy makers and approved for implementation so as to increase revenue and bring development.
Hon Kan Dapaah said cyber security has been a key challenge for Ghana today and that the initiative coincides with the establishment of National Cyber Security Act, which when put in force will make Ghana better.
He thanked the US government for supporting Ghana.
SGI is a partnership between the Government of Ghana and the United States aimed at improving the effectiveness of Ghana’s security sector.
The United States also has SGI partnerships with Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Tunisia.
Under SGI, in 2016 Ghana and the United States signed a Joint Country Action Plan (JCAP), which identified three priority areas of the partnership: Maritime Security, Border Security, and Cyber Security.
It offers a comprehensive approach to improving security sector governance and capacity to address threats.
In the initial year, 65 million dollars would be dedicated to the initiative; while in subsequent years, the US would provide additional funding commensurate with maturing program needs and expansion to additional countries.
Together, the US and the participating six African countries would work to improve security sector institution capacity to protect civilians and confront challenges and threats, with integrity and accountability.
The SGI programme would differ in each country, reflecting specific partner country challenges, goals, and objectives.
The National Coordinator for SGI-Ghana, Osei Bonsu Dickson in an interview said, the steering committee was focusing on three thematic areas including maritime security, cyber crime and law.
He said with the government’s vision of building a nation beyond aid, there is the need to put measures in place to strengthen the capacities of institutions and ensure the strengthening of border security.
Osei Bonsu Dickson said governments must take concrete steps to integrate borders and economies of Africa sub regions.
By PROSPER AGBENYEGA