The Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, has, on the advice of the Chief Imam, urged the various Mosque Management Committees to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) at various mosques as a means of ensuring safety.

Speaking on Top Story on Monday, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu also called on the leadership of the Committees “to engage the services of private security organisations who will be monitoring the activities of strangers who come around.”

He also recommended that the Committee engages the services of security analysts or consultants to keep them up to date on terrorists' tactics. This, he explained is because “working on security is not just monolithic. It is not just one modus operandi and so therefore, we need different strategies.”

This comment comes after the National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, charged Ghanaians to be vigilant, in the wake of increased terrorist attacks in the sub-region.

According to him, the activities of terrorists have become prevalent in recent times, and therefore the need for all citizens to pay closer attention to their ‘personal and communal security.”

Also, the Deputy National Security Coordinator, Edward Kweku Asomani, during a media engagement in Accra on Monday on measures being taken by government to combat terrorism, said the African continent has experienced about 346 terrorist attacks within the first quarter of the year.

He said out of the recorded attacks, 49 per cent occurred in the West African Sub-region.

Mr. Asomani said the figures indicated that the sub-region had become a hotbed for terrorism and, therefore, necessary to create awareness on security consciousness among the citizenry.

According to Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, the porous nature of Ghana’s borders is a clear indication for the country to take the necessary steps.

“We are aware, based on information, how the terrorists have moved from Nigeria through Niger-Mali- Mauritania. They have descended in Burkina Faso and now the latest place we hear is Togo,” he said.

He added that “we want to survive and be safe. You know peace and security are bedmates… as a nation, we really must work hard and ensure that we keep our country safe from the activities of the terrorist.”

According to Mr. Shaibu, since the religion teaches them to be hospitable and kind, he called on the Muslims to be alert so that they may not be exposed to the risk of terrorist attacks whiles following the teachings.

In doing so, he advised “members of the Moslem community and the mosque to be very alert in identifying people who approach the mosque with strange behavior. For example, coming with materials in bags.

“Secondly, those who enter our mosque and sleep for long hours and whose background we do not know about.”

He said the National Chief Imam is especially concerned about teachings that could instigate young people to become involved in terrorism.