National Security Embarks on Operation Koudanlgou III.

Security Agencies from Ghana and their Togolese counterparts on 19 November 2019 began a joint security operation simultaneously along their borders and selected areas within their national territories. The exercise is aimed at preventing terrorist
activities, illegal resource extraction, drug trafficking, dealing in illicit arms, smuggling, among other transnational crimes.

The National Security led operation is based on previous agreements under ‘the Accra Initiative” were Ghana, Togo, Cote d’ Noire, Burkina Faso. and Benin met in Accra in September 2017 to strategize and coordinate the efforts of their security and intelligence agencies to curb transnational crimes including violent extremism. Mali and Niger have since been incorporated into the initiative.

The ongoing Koudanlgou III is a follow up to similar exercises conducted in 2018 code-named Koudanlgou ‘&11 respectively. The current operation is led by the Ministry of National Security and is supported by the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Immigration Service. Customs Division of GRA; The Narcotics Control Board. Forestry Commission, National Fire Service, National Ambulance Service, and other intelligence agencies.

The ongoing intelligence-led operation is currently covering areas along the borders and selected points within the five regions in the northern enclave of Ghana. (Northern Region, North East, Savannah, and Upper East & West regions).

The operation so far has led to the arrest of over 170 suspects. Some of the people arrested are in connection with possession of illegal weapons, including locally manufactured and foreign single/double barrel guns totaling 108 without any valid document
covering them. Others too have not had their authorization renewed for years. Illegal miners including foreigners were also arrested at ‘Dollar Power’ near Bole.

Other cases recorded as on 20/11/19 are narcotics, unlawful activities in national forest reserves, fuel smuggling among others. Suspects have been detained for profiling, exhibits retrieved and preserved for further investigation.

The Ministry together with all the supporting security Agencies wishes to thank the general public especially those living in the operation areas for their cooperation and urge them of the readiness and commitment to ensure total peace in Ghana.