By MAUREEN OKON

A Ghanaian Parliamentarian, Ms Laadi Ayamba, said Ghana has been taking measures to avert the infiltration of terrorists and violent extremists into the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ayamba made this known on Tuesday while presenting her country’s annual report at the ongoing 2023 second Ordinary Session of the Fifth Legislature, holding in Abuja.

She said that the threat of terrorism has continued to be an issue of grave concern for not only Ghana, but the whole of the West African Sub-region.

According to her that, the deteriorating security situation in neighbouring countries owing to a surge in terrorist attacks, remains a major security concern for Ghana.

This, she said, has made the country to prioritise security, so as to safeguard its integrity.

“Intelligence sharing with neighbouring countries has also been enhanced to avert the possible infiltration of terrorist elements into Ghana.

“Cognizance of the pull and push factors of terrorism and violent extremism, the government of Ghana continues to embark on projects in communities that are vulnerable to terrorism radicalization,” Ayamba added.

The report covered prohibition of abuse against children; early and forced marriage; freedom of expression, press freedom, political and security situation, human rights, and healthcare, among others.

On press freedom, the report quoting Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index for 2023, indicated that Ghana ranked 62^nd out of a total of 180 countries as against 60^th in the world in 2022.

“It is worth mentioning that Ghana has witnessed some incidents relating to attacks on journalists with the investigation of some cases pending.

“A 2023 study by the University of Ghana and the Media Foundation for West Africa reported that the military and police are considered the main culprits of attacks on journalists.

“Other perpetrators of such attacks include political party affiliates.

“A case in point is the May 3 attack on a Dagbon Radio host by a former Regional Deputy Communications Officer of a party, amongst others.

“These attacks underline the democratic credentials of Ghana. There is the need for journalists to be protected in their line of duty while offenders are made to face the full wrath of the law,’’ it stated.

NAN reports that parliamentarians from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Togo also presented report on their respective countries, which largely centered on political, security, human rights, health and others.

The parliamentary sitting was presided by the ECOWAS Parliament Speaker, Mr Sidie Tunis. (NAN)

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