The Minister of National Security, Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, on Tuesday paid a courtesy on the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharabutu at his residence in Fadama Accra.
The visit which was a sequel to the launch of the “If you see something, say something (SSSS) Campaign” was formal to inform him and seek his blessings for the campaign.
Accompanying him were the top brass of the country’s national security including the Chief of Defence Staff, Real Admiral Amomuma and the Deputy National Security Coordinator, Edward KwakuAsomani.
The SSSS campaign forms part of the government’s broader counter-terrorism activities.
Briefing the Chief Imam, Mr Dapaah said the campaign had become necessary due to the close proximity of the twin threats of violent extremism and terrorism.
He explained that the need to involve the citizenry in securing the territorial integrity of country had become more imperative than ever before.
The Minister said even though the country had a strong security architecture in place, the nature of modern day crime implied that every citizen must be involved if their safety and security were to be secured.
Touching on the campaign, he said it was not intended to create fear and panic among the citizens, but rather to bolster their level of awareness and consciousness on matters of security.
He said the success or otherwise of the campaign would largely depend on the acceptability of the public as such religious leaders, traditional authorities and opinion leaders in the country must lead the way in encouraging the public to be part.
“I believe that with involvement of our revered religious and traditional leaders, our followers will embrace the campaign and together we can ward off these criminals from attacking our nation,” he stressed.
On his part, the Chief Imam commended the National Security for taking the proactive step in ensuring the country’s collective security.
He said as religious leaders they would continue to commit the security of the country into the hands of Allah and also appealed to the public to be interested in their personal security.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL
