The National Security Ministry is advising citizens and all to be mindful of prank calls which does not encourage our security systems to operate effectively.
This warning came during a See Something Say Something campaign embarked in basic schools last week to educate Ghanaians and children on the need to be vigilant against any act of terrorism or crime which may undermine the peace and security of Ghana.
The National Security Ministry has a toll-free number 999 which citizens and all living in Ghana can call to report terrorist related activities or crimes.
However some people have instead used the opportunity to prank the system for reasons unknown.
For this the National Security Ministry is cautioning all to desist from such activities in order to maintain the sanctity of our security systems.
“We have had so many prank calls coming in. We have realised that anytime we have community engagements prank call go up. We are encouraging citizens not to abuse the system. Only call when you have seen something suspicious.
Unfortunately, we have some bad nuts who would want to abuse the system and it affects us. Because you will never know a genuine one from a prank call. So we are encouraging citizens not to abuse the systems.
We hear people say the system doesn’t work, but as staff and those pushing the campaign, we know how responsive the system is. So please the system works 24/7. Don’t try to prank the system. Only call when you have seen something suspicious” a representative of the ministry explained.
The National Security Ministry has come up with the SALUTE acronym which would help citizens to report any unusual activity.
The S stands for the Size of Object or Specific features in the case of a person. Should anyone see an object placed in a place where it shouldn’t be, they ought to observe and be able to describe the object.
These objects may sometimes contain Improvised Explosive Devices(IEDs) . Citizens are warned not to touch or open objects where its owners are unknown.
‘A’ in the SALUTE acronym stands for Activity. In the instance where a person is seen in a criminal act, it is required that the one reporting must be able to describe what the person was doing.
‘Location’ represents L in the acronym, so wherever the activity took place must be clearly stated by the one who is reporting. If it is not a person, then where the object was placed must be indicated.
‘Uniform’ stands for U in the acronym. Whoever spots a person committing a crime must pay close attention to the attire the person is wearing and report according to what the person was wearing.
It is important for the one reporting any crime or suspicious activity to indicate the Time the activity happened and this stand for the T in the acronym.
Obviously when a person is committing a crime, there is likelihood that they used some equipments in carrying the activity. Therefore, it is imperative that the one reporting the crime or the witness must be able to tell whatever tools or equipments were used during the activity.
Citizens may use toll free number 999 when they witness any criminal or suspicious activity anywhere. It is always advised that people do not prank the system for sanctity of systems and security.
