The Interior Ministry of Spain has honoured Ghana’s Brigadier General Timothy Tifucro Ba-Taa-Banah with Spain’s highest Police Award – White Cross to the Police Merit– in recognition of his meritorious contribution to peace development and international security and cooperation.
Brig Gen. TT Ba-Taa-Banah, Director of Ghana’s Counter-Terrorism Fusion Centre, who doubles as Director of Operations at the Ministry of National Security (MNS), was awarded on the 12th of September of 2023, but presented with the Honour on Thursday 4 April 2024, on behalf of the Spanish Interior Minister, Mr Fernando Grande-Marlaska, by Spain’s Ambassador to Ghana, Javier Guiterrez, at his residence in Accra.
The Police Merit is the highest award of the Spanish Police, in accordance with the Spanish Decree of 18th of June 1943, and with the Law of the 29th of April 1964, and is awarded by the Minister of Interior of Spain, acknowledging the exceptional service provided by personalities who have performed remarkably in the field of security and international cooperation.
Presenting the award, Ambassador Javier Guiterrez, commended Brig-Gen. Ba-Taa-Banah for the achievement, saying that the Spanish Interior Ministry values efforts that effectively promote international peace and security.
Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister for National Security, who was the special guest the ceremony, in his remarks, also congratulated Brig-Gen Ba-Taa-Banah, saying the award is also an honour to the National Security Ministry and the Ghana Armed Forces.
“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 noted.
He noted that national security remains a priority area for the government as security is considered fundamental to the wellbeing of the citizens and the State, and therefore would continue to collaborate and appreciate efforts that promote effective national security.
The Minister stated that the challenge of terrorism presents a threat to Ghana, and hence expressed appreciation that Ghana is the only country in the West Africa sub-region that has not suffered terrorist attack.
In accepting the award, Brig Gen Dr Ba-Taa-Banah, dedicated it to the staff of the National Counter Terrorism Fusion Centre of the MNS, stating that as a team, their focus is how to keep Ghana and the sub-region safe, and thereby contributing to regional and global security.
He acknowledged the warm and fruitful relations with the Spanish Guardia Civil, the Fundación Internacional y para Iberoamérica de Administración y Políticas Públicas, (FIAPP) and the Embassy in Accra, via the Counterterrorism Public Space programmes that have been run for some years.
The presentation of the meritorious and prestigious diploma award, accompanied with applicable honours, privileges and use of insignia, was assisted by Police Chief Inspector Christian Montaña, Interior Attaché at the Spanish Embassy in Accra, and witnessed by the Chief Director of MNS, Sena Siaw-Boateng, Senior Officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, serving and retired, and Staff of the MNS.
Source: Ghana Peace Journal
