Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Minister of the Interior, has called for renewed commitment to innovation, research, and collaboration to reinforce Ghana‘s security and safety architecture amid evolving global threats.
He said Ghana must adapt to the changing security landscape by embracing digital technology and cross-sector partnerships to enhance national resilience and preparedness.
Mr Terlabi made the call in Accra on Friday while delivering the keynote address at the maiden Ghana Security and Safety Conference and Expo, held on the theme: “Innovating for Safety: Strengthening National Preparedness Against Emerging Threats.”
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The event brought together government officials, security experts, industry leaders, and academia to discuss innovative strategies for safeguarding communities and promoting national stability. It was organised by Fihankra ComTech LLC, a Pan-African safety technology company, in collaboration with the University of Ghana, Devnest Systems, and other partners.
The Deputy Minister said Ghana’s global reputation as a peaceful and democratic nation must be sustained through proactive investment in innovation and technology. “A secure environment is the bedrock of national development, fortune, public confidence, economic growth, and social cohesion,” he said. “As we navigate an increasingly complex world, the need for innovative, collaborative, and forward-thinking approaches to safety and security has never been more urgent.”
He noted that modern security threats had evolved beyond traditional crimes to include cyberattacks, climate-induced disasters, pandemics, and transnational terrorism. Sharing a personal experience, he revealed that he had once received a scam call claiming his “son” had been in an accident, though he has three daughters, warning that digital fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated.
“If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone,” he cautioned. “This is where technology is getting us to.”
Mr Terlabi identified three key pillars for Ghana’s security future — technology, collaboration, and community empowerment. He said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, and data analytics could significantly improve intelligence gathering, border management, and disaster response.
He also stressed that no single institution could address security challenges alone. “By working together, we can create a seamless network of preparedness that leaves no one behind,” he said, urging citizens to remain vigilant and engaged.
“One finger cannot lift a load, but many hands make light work,” he added. “The task of securing our nation is a shared one, and together, we are unstoppable.”
Professor Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development at the University of Ghana, who chaired the event, said the conference was timely given recent incidents such as industrial fires, road accidents, and cyber breaches that had exposed vulnerabilities in Ghana’s safety systems.
He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to translating research into practical, real-world solutions, adding that the success of Fihankra ComTech — which now operates in Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, and Tanzania — exemplified the synergy between research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Mr Joseph Owiredu, Chief Executive Officer of Fihankra ComTech LLC, said the conference aimed to bridge the gap between the government and the private sector in addressing safety and security challenges. He disclosed that the company planned to replicate the conference across other African countries, including Kenya and Namibia, to promote continental collaboration on safety, innovation, and preparedness.
The maiden conference also featured an exhibition of safety technologies, products, and services developed by Ghanaian entrepreneurs and students, showcasing the country’s growing capacity to create homegrown solutions for global security challenges.
