FRANCIS OPOKU

• Identifying threats and providing recommendations on fighting crimes.
• Developing assessments using available information.
• Collaborating with international, national, state, and local contacts in the intelligence and law enforcement communities.
• Using your knowledge and understanding of the language, culture, and history of specific regions to fight threats.
• Creating battlefield reports and analyzing and reviewing any developments in enemy positions.
• Updating data to ensure information stays up-to-date.

I was the African Union member states Focal Point Representative to the African Center for Research and Studies on Terrorism (ACRST) headquartered in Algiers, Algeria.

I coordinated the activities of the various security and intelligence agencies in disrupting operations on suspected ISIS sympathizers at the National Security Level. As Director Special Duties and Terrorism, I supervised the building of a database on Terrorism related individuals, groups and organizations and also supervised investigations by collecting, collating and analyzing reports on Terrorism.

I have chaired the Security Committee on visiting Heads of State and Foreign Dignitaries and perform assignments issued by the National Security Coordinator which included liaising with foreign partners on Terrorism issues and have assisted in developing the National Framework for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Ghana.

I also acted as the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism focal person to Ghana on the security of Major sporting events and promoting of sports and its values as a tool to prevent violent extremism. I have assisted the UK JCTATT in training the Ghana Military, Police, Fire Service, Border Control, Ghana Prisons Service and other Intelligence in Counter-Terrorism Operations delivery.

I supervised a team drawn from all the security and intelligence agencies and was responsible for all collaborative efforts of the various implementation agencies to produce, gather, provide resources, receive, analyze, and disseminate a broad array of threat-related information and actionable intelligence to appropriate security and intelligence agencies with the view to maximizing the ability to detect, prevent and respond to any terrorist incident or threat. I was also responsible for all media briefs or support in case of a terrorist attempted or attack.

• I ensured the conducted regular inspections and audits of security systems, facilities and personnel to facilitate ongoing operational improvement.
• I ensured that security personnel personnel maintained access control database, monitoring visitor traffic and analyzing for potential irregularities or risks.
• I oversaw daily monitoring and patrolled buildings, grounds and work sites.
• I coordinated the gathering of information, identified and implemented resolution, planned follow-up and logged and filed incident report to successfully manage complaints.
• i encouraged security personnel to checked and verify photo identification prior to granting facility access.
• I acted quickly during emergency situations to reduce opportunity for damage and injury.
• I supervised the monitoring and authorized the entrance and departure of vehicles, cargo trucks and visitors.
• I reported suspicious activities and persons to law enforcement.
• I supervised the checking and identification of persons entering and exiting facility to eliminate unauthorized visitors.
• I ensured the regulation of vehicle and pedestrian traffic onto building grounds.
• Screened individuals and prevented passage of prohibited articles into restricted areas.
• Conducted regular patrols of key areas to spot and control security concerns.
• Monitored central alarm systems for fire, intrusion and duress alarms.
• As the Security Coordinator for the Bank, I developed and implemented security policies, protocols and procedures, Control budgets for security operations and monitored expenses.
• I recruited, train and supervised security officers and guards, attended meetings with other managers to determine operational needs.
• I planned and coordinated security operations for specific events, coordinated staff in responding to emergencies and alarms, reviewed reports on incidents and breaches, investigated and resolved issues.
• I created reports for management on security status and analyzed data to form proposals for improvements (e.g. implementation of new technology)

I worked at UT as Head of Intelligence and Investigator where I coordinated security at all UT Subsidiary Companies including UT Collections, UT Logistics, UT Life, UT Properties, UT Bank and UT Securities.

As part of my duties, I was responsible for liaising with state security agencies in investigating frauds perpetrated by staff, customers and others.

I developed Policies and Internal Control Systems for the various UT Groups.

I also performed routine security assessments for the entire UT Companies.

• I worked at the Surveillance Unit of the Agency and engaged in numerous undercover Operations and assisted other Security Agencies in their work in preempting the activities of suspected criminals which led to some arrests
• I was later transferred to Akim Oda as the Municipal Officer where I worked with the MUSEC to ensure the security of the Municipality and provided intelligence reports to my headquarters in Accra.
• Interviewed criminal targets and witnesses to uncover facts for verification and authentication.
• Obtained information from arrested subjects to conduct debriefings.
• Assisted in special investigations and crime prevention programs.

• Planned and implemented integrated lessons to meet national standards.
• Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
• Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
• Graded and evaluated student assignments, papers and course work.
• Designed dynamic lesson plans based on student interests to increase overall student GPA.
• Fostered team collaboration between students through group projects.
• Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
• Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
• Supervised learning groups of students in classroom stations.