FBI DEPUTY DIRECTOR MEETS WITH BNI, GHANA POLICE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 002420 SIPDIS SIPDIS LAGOS FOR LEGATT E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV KCRM PINR GH SUBJECT: FBI DEPUTY DIRECTOR MEETS WITH BNI, GHANA POLICE Classified By: CDA SUE K. BROWN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In separate meetings on November 9 with the Director of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and Ghana Police officials, FBI Deputy Director John Pistole emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation to more effectively combat transnational crime. The Director of BNI told Pistole that BNI is actively involved in counterQ narcotics efforts and said armed robbery seems to be increasing in Ghana. Terrorism, in BNI's view, is not a serious problem in Ghana, but BNI is vigilantly watching for potential extremists. The Ghana Police made similar points in a separate meeting and both BNI and the Ghana Police requested more assistance in the form of training courses and equipment. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) On November 9, FBI Deputy Director John Pistole met separately with Joshua Kyeremeh, Director of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI),and Paul Quaye, Director of Administration of the Ghana Police. In each meeting, Pistole explained that the purpose of his trip to Accra was to meet his counterparts, explore ways of cooperation and learn how Ghana and the U.S. can assist one another. Pistole also said the FBI is considering opening an office in Accra to further this cooperation. ¶3. (C) BNI Director Kyeremeh told Deputy Director Pistole that BNI divides threats into three categories: global, sovereign, and local. Kyeremeh said some global threats, such as narcotics, are becoming local threats and require more attention. Narcotics, he said, is a serious issue and requires collaboration from all sides. He said BNI is doing its best to combat narcotics trafficking and pointed to a recent bust in Tema two weeks ago as evidence of BNI's engagement on this issue. Kyeremeh said indigenous terrorism is not a serious problem in Ghana, but stressed that it is never too far away. If terrorists find fertile ground, he warned, they will recruit and strike out. Kyeremeh said he is aware of individuals who travel in and out of the country carrying money to the Middle East to provide funds to groups associated with terrorism. Interestingly, Kyeremeh said armed robbery is a growing menace and BNI shares intelligence it has about potential robberies with the Ghana Police. Kyeremeh also made a pitch for more assistance, saying that BNI could benefit from equipment and training for its officers. ¶4. (C) In a separate meeting with Ghana Police Deputy Paul Quaye, Quaye stressed the role of the Police in fighting narcotics and echoed the BNI Director's concerns about the increase in armed robbery. Quaye requested more training and assistance in forensics, saying the main training facility of the Ghana Police is ¬ functioning8 well in training new police officers. For example, he said, many arrested suspects are acquitted because the Ghana Police cannot properly build cases. Quaye also expressed concern about the January 2008 African Cup of Nations soccer tournament, which pose a possibility for terrorism and increased crime. However, Quaye emphasized that he does not have any specific information about terrorism threats for the tournament. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: The meetings were positive and reinforced both the overall U.S.-Ghana bilateral relationship as well as law enforcement ties. While cooperation with GOG law enforcement is generally strong, it remains constrained by the high levels of corruption within the GOG, made evident in last year's cocaine scandals at the Narcotics Control Board. Kyeremeh appeared intrigued at the news that the FBI is considering opening an office in Accra and both officials welcomed the possibility of more training and equipment. The increase in armed robberies is also noteworthy, and while it is unclear what has caused this increase, narcotics trafficking is a likely factor. Despite a mixed track record, GOG officials are repeatedly telling us that they take the narcotics threat seriously, and BNI's recent seizure may indicate a more active role for this agency. END COMMENT. ¶6. (U) Deputy Director Pistole did not have the opportunity to clear this cable. BROWN