The Ghanaian government has pledged to safeguard its citizens against the threats posed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), explosive devices often used by rebels to cause destruction and harm during insurgencies.
This commitment comes in response to the increasing incidents related to IEDs in West Africa and the Sahel region, resulting in property damage and loss of lives.
Mr. Ambrose Dery, the Minister for the Interior, emphasized the government's dedication to supporting initiatives aimed at addressing IEDs.
He expressed confidence that this commitment would lead to the development of a more effective and comprehensive Counter-IED (C-IED) response not only for Ghana but for the entire West African region.
Speaking at a workshop on Counter-IED preparedness and response in West Africa, Mr. Dery's remarks, delivered by Mrs. Adelaide Anno-Kumi, Chief Director of the Ministry for the Interior, underscored the importance of enhancing national security to protect citizens from the devastating effects of IEDs.
The workshop, organized by the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons in collaboration with the Small Arms Survey, aimed to strategize and prepare for responses to curb future IED threats.
A study published in the Journal of Intelligence, Conflict, and Warfare, covering the period from 2010 to mid-2022, revealed that West Africa had witnessed 1,607 IED-related incidents during this time. These incidents resulted in a minimum of 6,680 deaths and 9,032 injuries of varying degrees.
To address these challenges, the government will employ the Counter-IED Capability Maturity Model and Self-Assessment Tool.
These tools will help identify gaps, challenges, and effective counter-IED measures to mitigate future IED-related incidents in Ghana and support regional counter initiatives.
Mr. Paul Amoroso, C-IED Advisor of the Small Arms Survey, stressed the importance of Ghana developing suitable counter-IED capabilities, even if IED incidents have not directly impacted it.
These tools not only facilitate improvement but also promote international collaboration and donor support to combat the use of IEDs.
Mr. Samuel Williams Yeboah, Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, expressed concern about non-state actors, including terrorists, insurgents, criminals, and militias, who use IEDs.
He highlighted the threat these actors pose to security, peace, and development in Ghana and the wider West African sub-region.
The proliferation of IEDs and their components prompted the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its Member States to agree, in November 2022, on the need to develop a regional response to counter this threat.
- Reporting by Francis Ntow: Editing by Adewale Adejoke