Ghana security experts urge focus on coastal and southern border threats

Security experts and civic leaders in Ghana are calling for enhanced protection of the country’s southern and coastal borders to combat emerging threats. Dr. Muhammad Baako, Technical and Intelligence Advisor to the National Security Coordinator, identified the Western Region as a critical component of the national security landscape. He noted that the region’s oil and gas facilities, power plants, Port of Takoradi, and naval installations are vital assets that require protection against sabotage, cyberattacks, and organized crime.

Dr. Baako emphasized that the Gulf of Guinea faces increasing risks from piracy, illegal fishing, and vessel boarding, suggesting that local fishing communities should be more involved in securing the Exclusive Economic Zone. He noted that these regional security realities must be integrated into the upcoming 2026–2030 National Security Strategy.

Supporting this call for vigilance, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) urged authorities to address the southern borders, which have historically received less attention than the northern borders. NCCE Chairperson Kathleen Addy warned that coastal areas are becoming hotspots for narcotics, disinformation, and violent extremism. The NCCE, in collaboration with ECOWAS, is working with stakeholders to strengthen community resilience and prevent these threats from escalating.