A Security Analyst Reverend Jojo Gyebi Ghabrah has attributed the emerging trend of terrorism in the sub-region to extreme levels of poverty and unemployment.
According to him, the quest for better living conditions is a major contributing factor for many youths who join terrorist groups since a good number of them have been subjected to economic hardship.
His comment comes in the wake of an announcement made by the information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah indicating that intelligence reports suggest that some Ghanaians have been involved in terrorist attacks in the Sahelian region.
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The latest development in warnings related to terrorism has been attributed to Ghana’s closeness to neighbouring countries which had recorded terrorist attacks, as well as its porous borders, the proliferation of arms, and easy access to drugs, among other factors.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with ATLFM NEWS, Rev. Ghabrah stressed that more attention be given to the youth and those living in extreme poverty.
“These deprived people are most times appealed to by these Islamic terrorist groups. If we look at the political violence that started in this country, most of those people were recruited from the Zongos. The terrorist groups find it very easy recruiting from these deprived areas because they offer them juicy packages.”
He also charged all members of the public to immediately take charge of personal and communal safety.
“Step out and start in your own small way by talking about these things. Lift the conversations in your homes, parks, lorry stations and others. Create the awareness and let people know what is happening,” he emphasized as he asked the public to be responsible for their personal and community safety.
SOURCE: VERA SIRIPI/ATLFMNEWS
