The Police in the Central Region of Ghana have called on the clergy to consider banning the use of bags in churches to help with the fight against terrorism.
This according to the Dominase Police Commander, DSP Paul Ankan, will help reduce the risk of terrorist attacks in places of worship.
Speaking to Citi News during a sensitization exercise in some churches and schools in the Gomoa East District, he said the call comes in the wake of happenings in neighbouring countries.
“It is very important for churches to ban the usage of bags in churches because we don’t know what is concealed in the bags. We have so many types of rifles, we have pistols, we have small arms, which when concealed on a person, will be very difficult for somebody to see. So for me as Christian, if you are going to church, you only need your Bible and notebook. We can’t sit down to be taken by surprise by a terrorist attack,” he said.
Earlier this month, a Security Analyst with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre, Dr. Fiifi Adu-Afful, urged the clergy to boost security in churches and worship centres over possible terrorist attacks.
According to him, the current trend of extremists attacks in neighbouring countries like Cote D’ Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali among others is a strong signal that Ghana is a likely target.
There have been security alerts of impending terrorist attacks targeted at churches and other places of worship.
Dr. Adu-Afful said it is important for the country to be alert and take precautionary measures to avert such attacks.
“The Church has now come under attack. The fact of the matter is that these guys have attacked almost all the national installations. They’ve attacked police stations, mosques, public places and now the church is the closest place for them to attack. If you look at the nature of the attacks and the methodology that they are using, it is quite worrying and all of us have to beef up our security in dealing with the issue of terrorism.”
“The days where our security at the church was only provided by the watchman have to change. Using of CCTV, not just having the camera in place but having people to monitor it.”
What do you think about this piece? Share your comment in the comment thread and share the story using the social media buttons above. You may reach the editor on 0249579664. Thank you.
