Ghana’s quest to strengthen national security and become a regional hub for intelligence training has received a major boost as President John Mahama has revealed that the Signal Bureau has secured 100 acres of land in Hohoe, in the Volta Region, to establish a National Signals Bureau Intelligence Training Academy.

Announcing this during the commissioning of the Volta Regional Command Headquarters of the Signal Bureau, the president said the new academy will elevate Ghana’s intelligence landscape and position the Volta Region as a strategic pillar in the country’s security architecture.

According to him, the academy will serve as the cradle for producing Ghana’s next generation of cyber and signals intelligence experts, bolstering the nation’s counter-terrorism capabilities while making Ghana a top training destination for ECOWAS member states, allied African countries, and global partners.

He emphasised that the facility will not serve Ghana alone, stating, ''The Intelligence Training Centre is not going to be only for Ghanaians. ECOWAS countries that want to send their students to train, other African countries that want to send their students to train, will come here to Hohoe and come and train in signals and intelligence surveillance.''

President Mahama further highlighted the operational importance of the newly commissioned Signal Bureau Regional Command Centre, describing it as a crucial centre for real-time monitoring, cyber-security protection, border surveillance, and early warning systems needed to safeguard national investments and enterprises.

He noted that the government has made significant investments aimed at modernising the nation’s intelligence sector with technology-driven reforms.

"As part of our long-term vision to modernise national security, the government is investing significantly in technology infrastructure across the intelligence sector.
This investment includes the deployment of 60,000 additional surveillance cameras across the length and breadth of our nation.

Installation of 500 new 4G and 5G communication sites, upgrading an integrated national security communication system using advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, and construction of a new data surveillance and cyber defence centre in Accra to serve as the headquarters of the national signals bureau," he said.

The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, underscored the need for synergy among Ghana’s security agencies, stressing that the centre is designed to support all operational units, not only the Signal Bureau.

He urged greater interagency cooperation. This centre, with these enhancements, collaborates with all operational departments.

"I want to take this opportunity to encourage, especially the Ghana police, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana Prisons Service, to collaborate effectively and not see this facility as just for the National Signal Bureau, but as a facility for all of them to work hand in hand.''

He issued a stern warning to individuals who misuse technology to spread misinformation, fear, and panic:
''To our citizens, who have made it a point to use technology, online and other means to create panic and fear, the time for you to stop is here, and I can assure you, we will come after you. You have to stop, or we come after you.''

Muntaka also clarified that the facility is not intended for spying on citizens but to ensure a safe environment where everyone can work and live without fear or intimidation.

In his welcome address, Director General of the National Signals Bureau, George Atta-Boateng, reaffirmed his outfit’s unwavering commitment to duty, integrity, and service to Ghana.

National Security Coordinator Abdul Razak Usman, in his keynote speech, emphasised that national security remains dedicated to promoting a secure, self-reliant, expert-driven agenda while staying steadfast in protecting Ghana’s peace, security, and prosperity.

Meanwhile, four additional National Signal Bureau Command Centre Headquarters are expected to be commissioned across four regions before the end of the year.