Taking a multi-pronged approach to tackling transnational crimes: Former Army Chief of Staff

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

A former Army Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Richard Opoku-Adusei (retd), has called for a multifaceted approach to tackling transnational organized crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime and terrorism. in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

“I wish to remind you of the current and emerging threats posed by transnational organized crime such as child trafficking, drug trafficking, data fraud, money laundering, cybercrime and terrorism that appear to have been overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, “said May. General Opoku-Adusei said.

At a graduation ceremony for students from Course 74 of the Youth Division of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and General Staff College (GAFCSC) at the Otu barracks in Teshie, near Accra, yesterday, he highlighted that “these threats they require a multifaceted approach that no one institution can successfully manage all. “

Graduation ceremony

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

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

The officers went through 21 weeks of intensive study at the GAFCSC.

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

Post-election violence

Maj. Gen. Opoku-Adusei, who was the event’s special guest of honor, commissioned graduates to use the knowledge gained to aid in post-election management, especially at a time when the country had emerged from a successful general election.

He also pleaded with graduates from other countries to use the knowledge gained to promote peace, security and development in their respective countries.

“I urge you to come out with the skills you have acquired to assist in the formulation of policies and the implementation of measures that will make our countries and the world a safer place to live,” he said.

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

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

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