The National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah has revealed that government has installed a total of 800 high technology security cameras in the Greater Accra region with an additional 10,000 yet to be deployed.
This, according to the Minister, was done under the ‘Alpha Project’, which was “initially started by the previous government and aimed at installing high technology security cameras in major cities and towns” across the country.
Mr Dapaah who was addressing Parliament on the state of security in the country ahead of the 2020 elections on Thursday, said, the installed 800 cameras fall under Phase One of the Alpha Project.
Phase Two, per his address, involves the installation of an additional 10,000 cameras, which will soon be deployed and installed at various vantage points in the country.
“The first phase of the project led to the installation of 800 cameras in different parts of Accra. Mr Speaker, I can now announce that phase two of the project which is ongoing will lead to the installation of 10,000 additional cameras in all regional and district capitals.
“It is also going to support sensitive installations and also be deployed along all entry points of all the land borders of the country,” he said.
He indicated that this was done “in view of the numerous internal and external threats confronted by citizens” of the country.
Mr Dapaah also alluded to the “significant reforms” that the country’s security architecture has undergone after the passage of the Security and Intelligence Act 1030 (Act 2020).
He indicated that the law which was passed in February will enhance intelligence gathering, thereby giving the country’s security personnel the ability to respond promptly to security threats.
“This new Act, which replaces Act 526 of 1996, ushers in a new era of enhanced intelligence gathering, security coordination, analysis and efficient and timely dissemination of security and intelligence issues.”
The Minister also took the opportunity to commend all stakeholders who helped in enacting the law.
