Ghana is on a vital mission to fortify national security by countering the looming threat of Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs),
In West Africa and the Sahel region, the use of IEDs has seen a dramatic escalation since 2012, resulting in mounting casualties among civilians, defense and security forces, and UN Peacekeepers. This menace is now encroaching upon the coastal states of the Gulf of Guinea, posing a grave challenge to regional stability and state authority.
While Ghana has thus far remained untouched by direct IED incidents, the nation recognizes the imperative of developing robust counter-IED capabilities for potential future threats. To support Ghana in this endeavor, the Small Arms Survey introduced the Counter-IED Capability Maturity Model and Self-Assessment Tool, developed by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research in 2020.
Addressing the participants, the Chief Director for the Ministry of the Interior, Mrs. Adelaide Anno-Kumi, emphasized the grave threat that IEDs pose to West Africa’s security and stability.
“These lethal devices utilized by terrorist groups and armed actors, have caused widespread devastation and loss of life’, she said.
She also reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting endeavors addressing IEDs. The assessment, she added, holds the key to developing a comprehensive C-IED response that only safeguards Ghana but also fortifies the entire West African region.
Also addressing the participants, Small Arms Survey expert, Julien Joly revealed that the tool’s structured framework empowers governments to formulate coherent national responses to the IED threat, paving the way for enhanced counter-IED capabilities. The tool also serves a dual purpose: It assists states identify gaps in their national regulations and preparedness concerning IEDs and fosters international collaboration and donor support. During the three-day workshop, attendees, as key stakeholders, are urged to engage in comprehensive discussions about proposed reforms. These conversations are integral to realizing the vision of a secure and prosperous Ghana, effectively controlling, and mitigating the threats posed by IEDs.
