The Minister for Local Government, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has called for closer collaboration between local authorities, traditional leaders and security agencies to ensure the success of intelligence-led security operations in the Bono Region.
He made the call while addressing stakeholders at the commissioning of the National Signals Bureau (NSB) Bono Regional Command in Sunyani, describing the facility as a major boost to regional and local security efforts. According to him, decentralising intelligence infrastructure is only effective when it is supported by strong community engagement and local governance systems.
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim emphasised that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have a critical role to play in supporting security agencies through early identification of threats, conflict prevention and effective coordination at the grassroots level.
“Local government structures are closest to the people, and that places them at the centre of preventive security,” he said. “Issues such as land disputes, illegal mining, communal tensions and other localised conflicts require early intervention, accurate information and cooperation between communities and security agencies.”
The Minister noted that the establishment of the NSB command in the Bono Region presents a unique opportunity to integrate local intelligence and community knowledge into national security planning, ensuring faster response times and more informed decision-making.
He further urged chiefs, opinion leaders, assembly members and residents to actively support the work of the NSB and other security agencies by sharing information and promoting peace within their communities.
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim stressed that sustainable local development cannot be achieved in an environment of insecurity, adding that peace, trust and cooperation remain the foundation for economic growth and social progress at the district and regional levels.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening local governance institutions and aligning them with national security priorities to ensure that intelligence-led security translates into safer communities across the country.
