CONCEPT NOTE

INTERNATIONAL COUNTER TERRORISM PUBLIC SPACES SEMINAR IN ACCRA

The threat of terrorism and violent extremism remains global, and Africa and by
implication in the West African sub-region have not been spared. Due to the social,
economic, political, and psychological impact of the threat it has become top on the
security list of many governments, stakeholders, and partners. Diverse efforts:
international, regional, and national are being employed to reduce the capabilities of
the threat who are either state or non-state actors. In 2021, the Ministry of National
Security and the Spanish Guardia Civil commenced the implementation of several
training activities under European Union (EU) assistance titled, “CT Public Spaces”.
The project involved tactical and operational level training that sought to enhance the
capabilities of Ghanaian law enforcement and emergency services to combat terrorist
attacks within public spaces.

The project was implemented in three (3) phases. Phase one (1) consisted of a series
of training held in LOGRONO, Spain, and ACCRA, Ghana. Modules covered were
Command and Control, Precision Snipers, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)/Counter
UAVs, Immediate Neutralisation of a Sudden Attack (NIAS), and Tactical Patrols.
Others were for personnel responsible for Tactical Response and Rescue,
Intervention and Explosive Detection Dogs, Tactical Sanitary Police Assistance, and
Risk Analysis. Phase two (2) was a Table-Top Exercise (TTX) carried out in April
2023, which tested the decision-making skills of the staff of the institutions. Phase
three (3) involved a live exercise conducted in June 2023 that assessed the response
capabilities of Ghanaian law enforcement agencies to a simulated terrorist attack
staged within a public space.

The CT Public Spaces project has been very successful, and the project is coming to
a close. As part of the activities to close the project, there is a need for partner and
stakeholder engagement to explore areas of shared interest, common challenges,
robust solutions, and solid sustainable partnerships which can enhance the gains
made. Therefore, the Ministry of National Security and the Government of Ghana in
partnership with the European Union and the implementing partners of the CT Public
Spaces project will organize a 3-day seminar from 15 to 16 November 2023 to explore
new trends, frameworks, concepts, and promising practices in preventing and
responding to terrorism and violent extension in other spheres including public
spaces. The theme of the seminar is
SEMINAR OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the seminar are as follows:

a. Explore current issues regarding the threat and fight against terrorism and
violent extremism.

b. Engage and create a platform to leverage participant expert knowledge.

c. Identify common themes, priorities, and concerns which can strengthen further
collaboration.

SPONSORS:

European Union.
Spanish Government.

IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS:

FIIAPP.
Spanish Guardia Civil.
Ministry of National Security, Ghana.
Ministry of Interior, Ghana.

PARTICIPANTS:

Security, law enforcement, and emergency service personnel.

Ministries and agencies representatives
Civil society organizations.
EUDEL and international representatives.
Partner countries (Kenya and Senegal).
Spanish Embassy, Ghana.
FIIAPP and Guardia Civil representatives.
Private security representatives.

CONTACT PERSONS:

Mr
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Madam
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Mr
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