Spain’s Minister of Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, awarded Brigadier General Timothy Tifucro Ba-Taa-Banah of the Ghana Army the White Cross to the Police Merit, the country’s highest police award.
Ba-Taa-Banah was recognized for his outstanding services to security and international collaboration. Ba-Taa-Banah, Director of Ghana’s Counter-Terrorism Fusion Centre and Director of Operations at the Ministry of National Security, received the award on September 12, 2023 and was formally presented by Spain’s Ambassador to Ghana, Javier Guiterrez, on April 4, 2024, at the ambassador’s residence in Accra, according to Ghana Peace Journal.
According to Spanish regulations going back to 1943 and 1964, the Minister of Interior of Spain bestows the Police Merit, Spain’s highest police award, in recognition of outstanding service in security and international collaboration.
Speaking at the occasion, Ghana’s Minister for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah, stated that the distinction bestowed upon Ba-Taa-Banah reflects not just his excellent leadership but also the ministry’s work.
He emphasized that while the honor is for Ba-Taa-Banah’s work, it also recognizes the Ministry’s efforts as a whole. Kan-Dapaah underlined the need for qualified officials, such as Ba-Taa-Banah, to lead vital assets in the Ministry.
“An institution is only as good as the officers who work there, and I am delighted that we have someone like the Brigadier General to be in charge of that very essential asset” , he said in a statement.
Kan-Dapaah emphasized the importance of government in delivering critical public services, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure. He did, however, emphasize that security is the most important of these, as without it, societal functions disintegrate.
He cited examples from the West African sub-region, where, despite great physical infrastructure, a lack of peace has hampered individuals’ capacity to use government services.
The Minister identified chieftaincy as a key threat to domestic stability in West Africa, while terrorism is the most significant external threat.
“One may not think much of it, but Ghana appears to be doing something right in terms of security that others have not. I believe it is due to the quality professionals in charge of anti-terrorist security; and when it comes to counterterrorism in Ghana today, Brig Gen Ba-Taa-Banah is solely responsible,” Kan-Dapaah stated.
The Ghanaian National Security Minister commended Ba-Taa-Banah on behalf of the Ghanaian government, stating that Spain’s decision to recognize him was appropriate. He expressed optimism that Ghanaians will eventually appreciate Ba-Taa-Banah’s accomplishments, particularly in protecting Ghana from terrorism while neighboring countries were targeted.
Ba-Taa-Banah, upon accepting the award, praised the devoted workers of the Ministry of National Security’s National Counter Terrorism Fusion Centre for their collaborative efforts in guaranteeing Ghana’s and the sub-region’s safety, thereby contributing to world security.