National Security Deals With ISIS Recruitment

The National Security is collaborating with international security agencies to deal effectively with the issue of Ghanaian youth joining the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The recruits, who are reported to use Burkina Faso and Niger as their entry points, are believed not to be causing trouble. The National Security Co-ordinator, Mr Yaw Donkor, made this known at a meeting with the executive of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and some senior journalists in Accra. The meeting between the GJA and the National Security followed reports that a young Ghanaian graduate had joined the ISIS. In response to the reports, the National Security confirmed that two Ghanaians had joined the group. Mr Donkor said per the records of the National Security, Nazir Nortei Alema, a 25-year-old graduate and another person, whom he identified only as Rafiq, had joined the group. He, however, cautioned the media to be circumspect in their reportage on the ISIS recruitment exercise in the country, pointing out that if not handled properly, it might create more complications for the National Security apparatus. “I am not trying to say that if there is a problem don’t talk about it; what I’m saying is that we must not do it in such a way as to create panic,” he said. Mr Donkor said there was the need for the conversation on the matter to continue but maintained that it should be integrated and devoid of stereotyping. Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor William Otoo-Ellis, has appealed to media practitioners to separate the personal decision of a former student of the university to join the ISIS from the university. According to him, Alema had completed his course or professional training and left the school and so “whatever personal decision he has taken is his and should not be linked to the university”.

Source: Daily Graphic