The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) – Ghana, has called on government to take a second look at the Emil Short Commission report if it wants to bring any meaningful reform to the National Security.
CDD-Ghana in a statement said latest incidents involving the security outfit, highlights the importance of government taking into consideration the recommendations of the Emile Short Commission and apply same in order to win back the trust of the public.
After some operatives of the National Security stormed Citi FM/Citi TV in a ‘Rambo Style’ to arrest a journalist with the station, several groups and individuals have mounted pressure on government to either close down the National Security Ministry and disband the operatives or bring major reforms that will clearly detail the duties of the institution.
But CDD, while applauding the National Security Ministry for its preliminary investigation, it also said beyond the statements there must be more reforms in the country’s security apparatus.
“A good place to start is to revisit the Emile Short Commission report and get the Government to commit to credible reforms both in the way National Security personnel are recruited and trained and in the way National Security does business”, the statement noted.
CDD-Ghana’s statement also observed that the punitive actions taken against the ‘erring’ officers are regrettable, as it does not send the right signal or deterrence to officers of the National Security apparatus. It then implored the Government and the Minister of National Security to see and seize upon this incident as an opportunity to pursue more far-reaching reforms in the National Security apparatus and its operations, as the problem highlighted by the Kudah/Citi case is long-standing, recurring and systemic”.
The statement has raised concern over the role of Parliament in the matter, saying, “it is not clear what oversight Parliament has or exercises over the Minister, Ministry, or the National Security Secretariat.”
It further called on the legislature to act fast to redeem itself by ensuring that the role they play as government oversight body helps to bring the needed reforms to the National Security system.
