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Ghana and the United States have signed the Security Governance Initiative (SGI) Joint Country Action Plan agreement.

The SGI is a US Presidential Initiative that offers an enhanced approach to security sector assistance beginning with six African countries; Ghana, Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Kenya, and Tunisia. 

It offers a comprehensive approach to improving security sector governance and capacity to address threats.

In the initial year, 65 million dollars would be dedicated to the initiative; while in subsequent years, the US would provide additional funding commensurate with maturing program needs and expansion to additional countries.

Together, the US and the participating six African countries would work to improve security sector institution capacity to protect civilians and confront challenges and threats, with integrity and accountability. 

The SGI programme would differ in each country, reflecting specific partner country challenges, goals, and objectives. 

Ms Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra on Friday, said the initiative would strengthen the nation’s security system for investigations, for the gathering of evidence, prosecution and ultimately the protection of the citizenry.

She said the initiative would focus on cyber security, maritime security and boarder surveillance and boarder control.

“And a cross cutting issue that covers the three areas is also the administration of justice; especially as regards effective analysis of evidence, gathering of evidence, and prosecution of offenders; to ensure that people who fall foul of our laws do not feel that because the institutions of states that are responsible for enforcement are not able to handle the responsibilities as efficiently as one would like, that somehow or the other, they would be able to get away with impunity,” she stated.

Ms Tetteh said implementation of the initiative would involve short, medium and long term actions, all with the view of making sure that the security systems would improve their efficiency as quickly as possible.

“It is our belief that as we go through the process of implementing this programme, we will come out with stronger institutions that are more robust, more competent and that will help give us the protection that we want to meet the emerging threats that we have identified in these particular areas,” Ms Tetteh said.

“It is indeed our pleasure to continue our strong cooperation with the US Government in this area; and to several other areas in which we have joint activities where we have joint programmes and initiatives and which has inure to the benefits of the people of Ghana,” she added.

She lauded the US Government for its continued support towards Ghana’s socio-economic development over the years.

Mr Robert Porter Jackson, the US Ambassador to Ghana, described the Joint Country Action Plan as a roadmap for a successful partnership.

He said the recommendations in the agreement would inform the programme design and implementation of the SGI in Ghana.