Security must match innovation – Gbevlo-Lartey to Security Agencies

Ghana’s Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States, Col. (Rtd.) Larry Gbevlo-Lartey has called on the country’s security agencies to step up intelligence gathering efforts in response to emerging security threats driven by rapid technological advancement.

Speaking on the final day of a two-day workshop organised by the Ministry of the Interior, Col. Gbevlo-Lartey stressed that Ghana’s relative peace and stability must not be taken for granted, especially given the country’s open-door policy toward neighbouring nations and the wider African continent.

According to him, technological innovation has significantly transformed the nature of modern security threats, making traditional approaches insufficient without adaptive intelligence and inter-agency cooperation.

The workshop brought together members of the Ministry’s Advisory Board, Board Chairs of agencies under the Ministry, their deputies, and security experts to review sector performance and explore ways to enhance institutional effectiveness.

Security Consultant Major General Dr. Emmanuel Kotia, who also spoke at the event, underscored the importance of promoting national unity and tolerance as foundational pillars of peace. He urged agencies to prioritise collaboration and collective interest over individual gains.

“National development thrives on stability. We must engage stakeholders meaningfully and stay informed on global trends to prevent instability,” he noted.

Dr. Kotia further advised institutional leaders to remain focused on their mandates and work collectively to advance the objectives of the security sector.

In a legal perspective on national security, Professor Raymond Atuguba delivered a presentation on the intersection of Ghana’s security architecture with legal frameworks, statutory limits, and human rights considerations. His insights highlighted the delicate balance between security enforcement and upholding civil liberties.

Delivering the closing remarks, Hon. Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka encouraged participants to adopt innovative approaches in leading their respective agencies. He thanked them for their continuous dedication to supporting the government’s vision for the interior sector.

“This is not a time for conventional thinking,” he said. “We must think outside the box and push boundaries if we want our institutions to truly thrive.”

The two-day programme formed part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to familiarise board-level leadership with sector operations, key programmes, and performance benchmarks in order to drive sustained improvement across agencies.