U.S., Ghana partner to build capable, resilient security and justice sector Institutions

The United States and Ghana continue bilateral efforts in the areas of border, maritime, police peacekeeping, cybersecurity, and the administration of justice to build capable and resilient security and justice sector institutions. 

Three high-level officials – U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Kirsten Madison, the U.S. Government’s Security Governance Initiative (SGI) Ghana Head of Delegation Ambassador Michael Arietti, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Assistant Commissioner Erik Moncayo – visited Accra from January 19-23, 2020. 

U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie S. Sullivan delivering remarks during the opening ceremony 

During their visit, the three officials joined U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie S. Sullivan in multiple bilateral engagements in the security sphere. 

On Wednesday, January 22, the U.S. officials joined Ghanaian Minister of Defense Dominic Nitiwul and National Security Coordinator Joshua Kyeremeh to inaugurate the National Border Fusion Center and attend the 6th SGI Steering Committee Meeting. 

The National Border Fusion Center will serve as an information-sharing hub for border security to facilitate informed, rapid decision-making.

This is one of many collaborations under SGI.  In her remarks, Assistant Secretary Madison underlined the value of this bilateral effort, “With shared common values, our partnership and cooperation are underpinned by our joint commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law.” 

Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Kirsten Madison

Assistant Secretary Madison also reaffirmed the U.S. government’s support by announcing an additional $3 million in U.S. foreign assistance funding to continue efforts to improve the capacity of law enforcement, promote the rule of law and the administration of justice, and combat transnational financial crime.      

The 6th SGI Steering Committee Meeting took place at the West Africa Regional Training Center in Accra.  The senior Ghanaian and U.S. officials emphasized both countries’ commitment to improving security sector governance in Ghana. 

In his remarks, Ambassador Arietti noted that “Ghana’s long-standing partnership with the United States, coupled with a shared belief in the value of strong security institutions, has enabled a smooth and productive partnership under SGI,” and encouraged the SGI Steering Committee to continue to focus on implementation.

Kirsten Madison speaking at the National Border Fusion Center commissioning 

SGI is a partnership between Ghana and the United States aimed at improving the effectiveness of Ghana’s security sector and enabling the conditions for national prosperity. 

Under SGI, the United States has provided more than $35 million to strengthen border, maritime, and cybersecurity, as well as to improve the administration of justice. 

These efforts have included technical assistance, study visits to the United States and Kenya, trainings and workshops at the strategic and operational levels, and material support. 

On Tuesday, Assistant Secretary Madison and Ambassador Arietti paid visits to the Minister of National Security Albert Kan-Dapaah to discuss bilateral efforts to advance mutual priorities in the law enforcement and security sectors.

Michael Arietti addressing the press with U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie S. Sullivan

On Thursday, January 23, Assistant Secretary Madison met Inspector-General of Police James Oppong-Boanuh and Ghana Police Service (GPS) International Relations Directorate (IRD) Director Baba Saanid Adamu. 

In these meetings, Assistant Secretary Madison discussed continued U.S. assistance through the International Police Peacekeeping Operation Support program which to date has trained over 1,400 personnel from eight deployed Formed Police Units to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, as well as mechanics and police trainers. 

The visit underscored the U.S. Government’s commitment to partnering with Ghana to strengthen security and justice sector institutions to the benefit and prosperity of the Ghanaian people.

 
Kirsten Madison meeting with Inspector-General of Police James Oppong-Boanuh 

Source: Myjoyonline.com