Form security teams to ward off terror attacks – Churches advised

Churches have been counselled to set up security teams within their congregations as part of security measures to avert possible terror attacks.

Superintendent Gordon Opoku-Koduah, the Asante-Akim Central Municipal Police Commander who gave the advice, said such teams should be tasked with the responsibility to coordinate security protocols on their premises whiles also liaising with the police, to protect congregants.

He was addressing congregations of various denominations in the Konongo Township, on terrorism and kidnapping at separate sensitization fora arranged by his office, in the wake of the increasing kidnappings and terror threats in the Country.

Among the churches he visited were Assemblies of God, Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Christ Apostolic Church, Church of Pentecost and the Catholic Church.

Supt. Opoku-Koduah advocated the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all churches to monitor every movement on their premises especially, suspicious characters.

He underlined the need for church members to be vigilant when they spotted unfamiliar faces and alert the leadership for the necessary preventive steps to be taken.

On kidnapping, the Municipal Commander advised parents to take keen interest in the whereabouts of their children after leaving home for school, recommending that they took them to school and pick them up themselves if possible.

He entreated parents to guide their wards especially girls on the use of mobile phones in order not to fall prey to kidnappers, who sometimes lure their victims through phones.

The Municipal Police Commander spoke against what he described as the current increasing social media craze of some citizenry making disclosures of personal locations and itinerary on social media, indicating that the practice could expose them to danger.

“In the event of a kidnap, parents should avoid any form of negotiation with the kidnappers and instead inform the police immediately, for prompt action.