3 Weeks Training For Akomea? Ghana Is Now A Laughing Stock

Claims by a national security operative, Bright Ernest Akomea popularly known as ‘Double’ that he acquired only three weeks training to be part of Ghana’s security set up has left many dumbfounded.

One of such persons is Richard Kumadoe who worked for the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) for years and now trains many in the area of security. He told TV3 that Double’s confession has opened Ghana up for ridicule.

“National security has been reduced to a position of vigilante marketing. When you look at the security implications and security mathematics, the issues and the illiteracy in that position, it is not something worth noting for.

“We have been laughed as a laughing stock all over the world. We are not the only people implementing security infrastructure, let’s get up and get it down properly.” Double, in his testimony to the Emile Short Commission investigating the violent occurrences at the January 31 Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, said during his three weeks training, he was taught how to read map, handle light and small weapons, walker phone and pound-to-pound combat.

At the Commission, Double could not express himself in English and had to speak through an interpreter.

He said his primary duty post is at the VIP lounge of the Kotoka International Airport, a point of entry that in Richard Kumadoe’s view, a “level headed” person is required to be there.

“We are talking about terrorists attacking us, and the risk level of Ghana going out,” he noted.

Having watched Double’s testimony, the security analyst suggested that Double is not fit to be stationed at the airport, noting that it is a “failure” on the part of the authority that put him there.

He also remarked that national security is a place where strategic thinking, formulating policies, and coordinating other security agencies take place.

“It is a failure on the part of the authorities who stationed him at the airport as a result of internal and external threat we receive. And we are talking about border security; you have land, air, and sea. And airport is a major point of entry and if these are the levels of people we place at those places.

“I am saying that my boss we are threading on dangerous grounds. And his interview shows the level of degradation or politicians taking over our security agencies and running them down.”