By Felix Cofie
The Africa Centre for Security and Counterterrorism (ACSC) has welcomed the government’s GH¢1 billion allocation to strengthen security along Ghana’s northern frontier but warned that inadequate funding for defence and the absence of dedicated resources for preventing violent extremism could leave the country vulnerable to emerging threats.
The Centre raised the concerns following its review of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, presented to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
In a statement issued in Accra on November 13, ACSC acknowledged what it described as significant progress in the government’s efforts to strengthen national security, particularly through investments in border infrastructure, maritime security and the welfare of security personnel.
However, it cautioned that prioritising military hardware without adequately investing in vulnerable communities could undermine Ghana’s broader security strategy.
According to the Centre, the GH¢1 billion earmarked for forward operating infrastructure, northern border security, new barracks and an electronic warfare centre demonstrates growing recognition of the security threats emerging from the Sahel region.
It also welcomed the GH¢405 million allocation for two offshore patrol vessels, describing the investment as important for protecting offshore oil assets and fisheries against piracy, illegal fishing and smuggling in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Centre further commended the GH¢400 million provision for police housing and the Police Hospital, alongside GH¢150 million for Phase Two of the Fire Service retooling programme.
ACSC noted that the GH¢15.5 billion allocation to the Ministry of the Interior, compared with GH¢10.1 billion for Defence, reflects the importance of addressing domestic security challenges, including crime, chieftaincy disputes, land conflicts and illegal mining.
Defence Allocation Raises Concerns
Despite acknowledging these investments, ACSC expressed concern that the GH¢10.1 billion allocated to Defence represents a reduction from the amount approved for 2026.
The Centre argued that, with inflation projected at 8 per cent, plus or minus two percentage points, the allocation could translate into a decline in the purchasing power of the Ghana Armed Forces at a time when security threats along the country’s northern borders are intensifying.
It further observed that the combined GH¢25.6 billion allocation for Defence and Interior is less than half of the GH¢61 billion earmarked for interest payments.
According to ACSC, the situation raises questions about the resources available to sustain Ghana’s security architecture amid growing regional instability.
Bawku and Violent Extremism Prevention Neglected
A major concern raised by the Centre is the absence of dedicated funding for preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE), community early-warning systems and conflict prevention initiatives.
It specifically identified Bawku and other conflict-prone communities as areas requiring targeted investment, warning that extremist groups could exploit existing social tensions, economic vulnerabilities and unresolved local conflicts.
The Centre stressed that Ghana’s response to terrorism must extend beyond border surveillance and military deployments to include community resilience, mediation and reconciliation.
It maintained that preventing violent extremism requires early intervention at the community level, where vulnerable populations may be exposed to extremist recruitment.
“Terrorism is defeated in the village before it is fought at the border,” the Centre stated.
Illegal Mining Identified as Security Threat
ACSC also described the GH¢200 million allocation to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) as inadequate given the scale of illegal mining across the country.
It warned that foreign-financed mining activities in northern border communities could create opportunities for extremist financing and infiltration.
The Centre therefore called for illegal mining to be treated not only as an environmental challenge but also as a national security threat.
It further recommended real-time registration of all individuals working at mining sites in the northern regions to strengthen monitoring and accountability.
Military’s Expanding Responsibilities
The Centre raised additional concerns about the growing involvement of the Ghana Armed Forces in securing major infrastructure projects.
These include the Accra-Kumasi Expressway, the Accra Orbital Expressway and the Western Corridor Railway.
According to ACSC, assigning such civil-security responsibilities to the military without corresponding funding arrangements could place additional pressure on already constrained defence resources.
It recommended that the costs associated with securing these projects should be incorporated into their respective project budgets rather than being absorbed by the Defence allocation.
The Centre also criticised what it described as inadequate accountability arrangements for major security investments, arguing that the government must publish measurable performance targets for projects such as the offshore patrol vessels, border infrastructure and electronic warfare centre.
ACSC Outlines Recommendations to Parliament
As Parliament considers the 2027 Budget, ACSC has outlined recommendations aimed at strengthening Ghana’s security preparedness.
The Centre is calling for the establishment of a dedicated fund for preventing and countering violent extremism and building community resilience in border districts, in collaboration with the National Peace Council and District Assemblies.
It also wants specific and transparent funding for Bawku and other conflict hotspots, with greater emphasis on mediation and reconciliation alongside security deployments.
Additionally, ACSC is urging Parliament to restore the Defence allocation to at least its 2026 level in real terms during the committee consideration of the budget.
Other recommendations include increasing funding for NAIMOS, introducing real-time registration of workers at mining sites in northern Ghana, and ensuring that military involvement in civilian infrastructure projects is financed through the budgets of the projects concerned.
The Centre is also demanding the publication of performance indicators for all major security capital expenditure, with progress reports presented during the 2027 Mid-Year Budget Review.
ACSC Offers to Engage Government
Executive Director of ACSC, Emmanuel Mawanye Kotin, said the government deserved recognition for committing substantial resources to strengthening security along the northern frontier.
However, he cautioned that infrastructure and military technology alone would not be sufficient to protect the country against emerging threats.
“Government deserves credit for finally putting serious money on the northern border. But you cannot defend a frontier with concrete and radar alone,” he said.
He added that communities stretching from Bawku to the Savannah mining belt remained Ghana’s first line of defence and deserved greater investment in resilience and conflict prevention.
Mr Kotin warned that reducing Defence funding in real terms at a time of growing instability in the Sahel could send the wrong signal to both Ghanaian security personnel and potential threats.
ACSC has expressed its readiness to engage Parliament’s Select Committee on Defence and Interior, the Ministries of Defence and the Interior, and the National Security Secretariat as the budget undergoes parliamentary consideration.
The Centre maintains that Ghana’s security strategy must combine military preparedness, effective border management, community resilience, conflict resolution and accountability to prevent the country from becoming vulnerable to the instability spreading across the Sahel.
