Addis Ababa, Jan. Jan.23(ENA)--African governments should introduce reform measures in their national security police mainly in the direction of transparency and accountability in a bid to reduce risks that may endanger the safety of countries, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said.

speaking at the "policy forum" of the Global Coalition for Africa held in Accra, Ghana, prime minister Meles said the African countries should make reforms in the national security structures as it is mandatory in other sectors.

He said there is a great security concern in some African countries, adding that although governments may have a monopoly of coercive power and a national army, guns used by an employed youths can become liberation movements within 24 hours.

The various changes undertaken in the social and economic sectors should also apply in the security policies, he said.

He said unless the security concern is effectively addressed, it may be difficult to achieve the desired results in the economy and other fields.

The prime minister said the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) attaches paramount importance to the security issue in the continent.

He said security shouldn’t be seen in isolation from the respect of human rights, poverty reduction, food security, bringing about sustainable development and establishment of good governance, among others.

The African governments should encourage the people to openly discuss and debate in the national security issues, he said.

Members of the national armies in Africa ought to be loyal to the constitutions and the will of the people but not to the leaders’ and political parties, Meles said.

He said there is a problem of clearly understanding the objectives of NEPAD both here in Africa and elsewhere.

Meles said" NEPAD is not a series of mega projects covering the continent. Rather it is a frame work on the bases of which we design our policies in each country, in the sub- region, continentally and our relationships with the rest of the world."

He said the issue of security is in the center of the NEPAD initiative, adding that briging about sustainable development, establishment of god governance and democratic institutions in the continent are also the priority areas.

Prime Minister Meles returned home on Thursday attending the two day policy forum of the Global Coalition for Africa that mainly discussed on NEPAD and national security issues.

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