The Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, has inaugurated the reconstituted Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC), with a call for stronger collaboration, shared responsibility and coordinated action among security agencies, traditional authorities, religious leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders to safeguard peace and security in the region.
The inauguration, held at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) Conference Hall on Thursday, 27 August 2026, brought together members of the reconstituted Council and representatives of key institutions with responsibilities for maintaining peace, law and order in the Northern Region.
Addressing members at the inaugural meeting, Hon. Adolf congratulated them on their appointment to the reconstituted Council in accordance with the Security and Intelligence Act, 2026 (Act 1168). He noted that the new legislation had expanded the membership of the Regional Security Council to create a broader platform for deliberating on security-related issues affecting the region.
According to the Minister, the expanded membership reflected the understanding that security was a shared responsibility that could not be left solely to the conventional security agencies. He stressed that traditional authorities, religious leaders, community leaders, youth organisations and ordinary citizens all had important roles to play in maintaining peace and preventing security threats.
He explained that effective security management was not always about having βboots on the groundβ, but also required the collective wisdom, experience, intelligence and community knowledge of stakeholders. He therefore expressed confidence that the diverse expertise of the new members would enrich the deliberations and operations of the Council.
Hon. Ali Adolf John further underscored the importance of orientation and continuous training for members of REGSEC, particularly those joining the Council for the first time. He said the Regional Coordinating Council would liaise with the National Security authorities to secure the necessary support for comprehensive orientation and training programmes to equip members with the knowledge and skills required to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
The Minister also cautioned new members not to perceive membership of the Council as an avenue for material or financial benefits. Rather, he said, their membership demanded considerable commitment, time, sacrifice and, in some instances, personal resources to support the effective functioning of the Council.
He consequently appealed to members to demonstrate commitment to the Council’s mandate and make their expertise and experience available whenever required. He noted that their willingness to sacrifice for the peace and stability of the region would be essential to the success of REGSEC.
The Minister identified land and chieftaincy disputes resulting in the loss of lives and property, political violence and situations leading to the breakdown of law and order as some of the security challenges confronting the Northern Region. He stressed the need for the Council to remain proactive rather than waiting for conflicts and other threats to escalate before responding.
He said addressing these challenges required unity and close collaboration among the various security agencies and stakeholders. He called for the pooling of expertise, intelligence, resources and operational capabilities to ensure that potential threats were identified early, assessed objectively and addressed decisively within the confines of the law.
Hon. Adolf emphasised that the maintenance of peace and security was fundamental to the socio-economic development of the Northern Region. He noted that a stable environment was necessary for businesses to thrive, investments to grow, communities to prosper and government development programmes to achieve their intended impact.
He linked the work of REGSEC directly to the government’s broader development agenda under His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, particularly efforts aimed at boosting the economy, improving infrastructure, creating employment opportunities and improving the livelihoods of citizens. According to him, such development objectives could only be fully achieved in an environment where peace, security and law and order were guaranteed.
The Minister therefore urged members of the reconstituted Council to regard their mandate as an important contribution to the overall development of the region and to work collectively in building a peaceful and secure Northern Region.
He also expressed profound appreciation to the various security services for their professionalism and commitment in providing security during the funeral of the late Ya-Na, the Overlord of Dagbon, and the subsequent installation of his Regent. He commended the security agencies for demonstrating their preparedness and capacity to manage major traditional and public events successfully.
He said the successful maintenance of security during those significant events was evidence that the region’s security architecture was capable of rising to major challenges when agencies worked together with commitment and professionalism.
The Minister concluded by urging all members of the reconstituted REGSEC to uphold the law, work in unity and remain committed to protecting lives, property and the peace of the Northern Region. He expressed confidence that the expanded Council, through collective responsibility and effective coordination, would strengthen the region’s capacity to prevent and respond to emerging security threats.
Hon. Ali Adolf John subsequently declared the reconstituted Northern Regional Security Council duly inaugurated, marking the beginning of its renewed mandate to support peace, security and stability across the Northern Region.