The Australian High Commission in Ghana has cautioned its citizens to be extra vigilant when using public transport and other transport services in the country.
The caution comes on the back of reported cases of kidnapping in the country, particularly last week’s abduction of two Canadians in Kumasi who have since Wednesday dawn been rescued by a team of national security operatives.
Canada and other High Commissions in the country issued security alert to their citizens who are in or travelling to Ghana.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day Mining Security Conference in Accra, the Australian High Commissioner in Ghana, Andrew Barnes, said Australian citizens in the country have been cautioned to be extra careful when moving around in Ghana.
“We place emphasis on advising Australians traveling to Ghana to be more aware of their personal security. We have mentioned that they should be careful in using public transport and taxis. So, just a reminder to everyone to exercise due caution and take general safe decisions,” Mr. Barnes told the media.
He noted that the High Commission is very much concerned about the safety of its citizens, and has measures in place to ensure there are no attacks or kidnapping of its citizens.
Mining Security Conference
The conference brings together security experts, academics, diplomats, mining companies and other stakeholders to discuss strategic security trends in Africa and beyond.
This has become necessary following concerns by some Australian mining companies in Africa about growing insecurity in Africa.
Addressing the conference, Australian First Assistant Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Department in Africa and Middle East, HK Yu said the Australian government was committed to fighting off any threat of insecurity to ensure the safety of its citizens.
“This conference is very important because Australian Mining companies have enormous interest and already, a huge amount of investment is in Africa, and we do not want that to be under any threat, especially by terrorism or security issues.
“The conference has been organized to make sure we share all the intelligence and information we have on hand about how to keep ourselves safer and how to assist host countries to also deal with these issues”
She said the mining sector is important to economic growth in Africa, hence, the intervention to ensure no harm is caused to the sector.
By Irene Amesimeku|3news.com|Ghana