MCD Calls for MUSEC & Other Stakeholders Meeting

On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the Municipal Coordinating Director, Louisa Benon (Mrs.), called for an emergency MUSEC (Municipal Security Council) meeting at the office of the Municipal Chief Executive. This meeting was necessitated due to unrest by a section of the general public that led to the destruction of some essential government properties and other related matters.

The purpose of the meeting was to find lasting solutions and prevent such situations from reoccurring. It aimed to educate the general public and other stakeholders on the workings of the security services, establish better communication channels between MUSEC, the Security Service, and the general public, and provide sensitization on media coverage of sensitive or volatile issues.

In attendance were the Divisional Police Commander (ACP Kwame Tawiah), Divisional Crime Officer (ASP Daniel Acheampong), the Municipal Prisons Commander (Sup. George K. Ntumy), the Municipal Fire Officer (DOII King Eyram Glalah), the Municipal Ambulance Commander (Prince Scott), the Municipal Immigration Commander (ACI Obeng Manu), the Military Commander – Ejura (LT. Dapaah K. Effah), Municipal NADMO Director (Salifu M.A Razak) and a representative of the National Intelligence Bureau.

In addition were selected Assembly Members, The Chief Imam – Ejura, the Sarkin Zongo – Ejura, the Chairman of the Local Council of Churches – Ejura, The Chairman, NDC – Ejura, The Chairman, NPP – Ejura, and the Media Houses.

The Municipal Coordinating Director, Louisa Benon (Mrs.), who chaired the meeting, moderated the discussion between the MUSEC members and the invited stakeholders. She urged members to take advantage of the meeting and participate fully by sharing their ideas on the possible causes and long-term resolution of the unrest.

However, members were concerned about the delay in the deployment of security personnel to the incident site, believing that an earlier response could have halted or prevented the issue from escalating. Others also raised the issue of confidentiality on the part of the security service in relation to the protection of informant information. Issues regarding the granting of bail were also brought up, as members alleged that the process was being abused by some security officers. Furthermore, members also noted that communication and information dissemination between the security service and stakeholders was inadequate, and there was a lack of thorough investigation by media houses before bringing information to the public domain.

The Divisional Police Commander, ACP Kwame Tawiah, addressed the issue of bail grants. He explained to members the correct processes involved in obtaining bail and asked them to call on him in case of any difficulty they may face when applying for it. He further touched on the confidentiality allegation and noted that some informants also fail to keep their activities a secret, as some tend to abuse this opportunity. He, however, acknowledged the communication gap and hinted at administrative procedures to mitigate it.

A resolution was passed by the entire committee to use the media to promote and educate residents on the work of the security service, establish a secure access channel for information sharing, and tactically handle the issues at hand.

To wrap up the meeting, the MCD expressed her gratitude to the members for attending on such short notice, emphasizing the importance of this crucial gathering in ensuring lasting peace within the municipality.