National Security Ministry defends GHS 6 million monthly budget for Bawku operations
The Ministry of National Security has defended its budget allocation for its operations in Bawku.
In a response to allegations made by Hon. Mahama Ayariga, the NDC Member of Parliament for Bawku Central Constituency questioning the justification for the Ministry’s monthly budget of GHS 6,000,000 allocated to address the ongoing conflict in Bawku, the ministry said the Minister’s stance was counterproductive to efforts in containing the conflict in the area.
The Ministry emphasized its responsibility for designing and coordinating security operations across the country in collaboration with relevant security and intelligence agencies.
The Ministry said In response to the severe escalation of inter-ethnic tensions in Bawku in 2021, which resulted in the tragic loss of hundreds of lives, the displacement of people, and the disruption of economic activities, the Ministry launched a special operation in February 2023. This initiative aimed to maintain peace in Bawku and its environs, as well as other affected areas in the North East Region.
It said the monthly budget allocation of GHS 6,000,000 supports various essential operational costs.
According to the Ministry, these funds cover “fuel supplies for Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and other operational vehicles; the provision and delivery of food rations for personnel of the Task Force; special intelligence operations, and other civil-military activities aimed at building societal cohesion and stability in Bawku.”
Furthermore the Ministry distributes these funds to participating security and intelligence agencies to support their logistics and personnel involved in the operations, with the primary goal of protecting the lives and livelihoods of all citizens in the area.
The Ministry noted that these funds are part of its general operational budget and are necessary to maintain peace in Bawku.
The Ministry argued that the funds could have been invested in enhancing Ghana’s capability to build resilience against other security threats, such as terrorism and violent extremism spreading across West Africa.
“It is unfortunate and mistaken for Hon. Ayariga, who, given his position as a Member of Parliament, ought to be better informed about the complexities and necessities of national security operations, to politicize same,” the ministry noted . The Ministry warned that such statements have the potential to misinform the citizens of Bawku, reignite tensions, and endanger the lives of state security and intelligence personnel involved in the operations.
The Ministry of National Security reaffirmed its commitment to its mandate and duty to sustain its operations in Bawku to safeguard the overall peace and stability of the country. It called on well-meaning Ghanaians to discourage statements that could jeopardize the delicate peace efforts in the region.
