By: Peter Agengre
In an effort to strengthen the security operatives and build their capacity to counter terrorism, over two hundred police personnel have completed a capacity building program at the Security Resilience and Peace Building Training and Educational Centre at Nangodi in the Upper East Region.
It was a collaborative initiative between Projects Banbo Ghana Police Service and Project Karel in the United Kingdom. The joint multi-agency counter-terrorism capacity building program exposed the personnel to self-defense, weapon handling, motorbike riding and driving, among other skills. It also equipped participants with advanced knowledge, practical skills, and innovative strategies to excel in their respective fields with emphasis on combating terrorism and ensuring a peaceful elections this year.
At the closing ceremony of the four weeks training program, the public witnessed a display of the preparedness level of the security agencies towards the 2024 general elections. The completion of the training program according to the Upper East Regional Commander DCOP Raymond Adofiem signifies a major milestone in the collective efforts of the Police to enhance the skills and knowledge of the multi-security agencies.
“What you just saw today is an emphasis of our preparedness showcasing what we are prepared to do to ensure peaceful elections, law and order, before during and after the elections and to support the electoral commission so that we can continue our nation building after the elections.”
“Terrorists operate in very obscure and dangerous manner such that one would need to be well prepared to be able to counter them. They don’t operate in the open or busy areas but through some unapproved routes. This training has given the men and women the skills they need to protect the people of the five regions of the north.” DCOP Raymond Adofiem told GBC News.
SRAPBTEC covers over two hundred hectares of land with practical training routes provided by the chief and elders of the Nabdam community. The District Chief Executive for Nabdam Agnes Anamoo was glad that such a facility is in her territory.
“I am so happy to see the level of development of SRAPBTEC in this area. When they were looking for a place to start with, I gave my bungalow out to them. And that’s is the result we are getting now. It is part of the development we have all been yearning for. And I thank the two paramount chiefs and the Tindanas for their role in this project.” Agnes Anamoo expressing satisfaction.
Some participants from the Ghana National Fire Service, Immigration, Customs, National Ambulance Service, Police and others reflected on the achievements of the training and expressed commitment to a continuous improvement and excellence in their respective field.
“This grounds has been a place for some of us to be retrained so that we can help maintain peace in the general elections. This training is worth it and I think it has brought about a very good rapport to all the security services.”
The ceremony was attended by Municipal and District Chief Executives across the region, religious heads and the traditional authority of the Nangodi Traditional Area
