Taking a multi-pronged approach to tackling transnational crime – Former Army Chief of Staff

Major General Richard Opoku Adusei [retd] (right) with Rear Admiral Moses Beick-Baffour (middle) and Brig. General AK Dawohoso (left), Deputy Commander, Junior Division, GAFCSC. Photo: NII MARTEY M. BOTCHWAY

Former Army Chief of Staff Major General Richard Opoku-Adusei (ret) called for a multidimensional approach to tackling transnational organized crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering , cybercrime and terrorism following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expressing concern that the pandemic had “overshadowed” the threats posed by such crimes, he argued that no institution could successfully manage the threat.

“I would like to remind you of the current and emerging threats posed by transnational organized crimes such as child trafficking, drug trafficking, data fraud, money laundering, cybercrime and terrorism which seem to have been eclipsed. by the COVID-19 pandemic ”, Maj. General Opoku-Adusei said.

Addressing a graduation ceremony for students of Course 74 Junior Division of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) at Otu Barracks in Teshie, near Accra , he stressed yesterday that “these threats require a multifaceted approach because no institution can manage all successfully”.

Graduation ceremony

A total of 60 officers from four different African countries graduated at the event.

They included 48 students from the Ghana Army, Navy and Air Force, six officers from Nigeria, two officers from the Armed Forces of Liberia, one from The Gambia, one from Guinea and two from Sierra Leone.

Officers completed 21 weeks of intensive study at GAFCSC.

The Commander of the GAFCSC, Rear Admiral Moses Beick-Baffour, conferred the “JDC” symbol on graduates and presented them with certificates.

Post-election violence

Major General Opoku-Adusei, who was the special guest of honor at the event, tasked the graduates to use the knowledge they had gained to help with post-election management, especially at a time when the country had come out of a successful general election.

He also urged graduates from other countries to use the knowledge they had acquired to promote peace, security and development in their respective countries.

“I urge you to come out with the acquired skills to help formulate policies and implement measures that will make our countries and the world a safer place to live,” he said.

Major General Opoku-Adusei congratulated the foreign students for helping to maintain the credibility and contribution of GAFCSC to the professional development of officers in different African countries.

“I can assure you that Ghana will continue to open its doors to fraternal African countries in order to promote this continental cooperation,” he said.

Rear Admiral Beick-Baffour praised the students for their commitment and dedication to the course despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.