Ghana minister orders police to crush illegal security groups

Ghana's Interior Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has issued a stern directive to the Ghana Police Service, ordering them to dismantle all illegal self-protection forces operating within the country. The Minister emphasized that no individual or group has the authority to form private security forces, stressing that such actions are illegal and unacceptable.

“

Our training schools are institutions of discipline, professionalism and service. They must not become platforms for content that compromises the privacy, dignity or security of trainees.

Speaking at the Police Regional Commanders Conference in Accra, Mubarak urged police commanders to rigorously enforce the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), and bring offenders to justice. He expressed deep concern over the increasing trend of groups forming their own protection units, deeming it a threat to national security and public order.

Beyond security concerns, Minister Mubarak also addressed the issue of unauthorized recording and dissemination of training activities at police schools. He stated that such practices compromise the privacy, dignity, and security of trainees, potentially damaging the image of the Police Service. Commanders were instructed to implement strict controls to prevent these breaches.

“

If someone says: I am an opportunist, I will not use the deposit system, then they are actually financing the deposit system.

The Minister also unveiled plans for technology-driven policing innovations. These include TRAFITECH, an automated system for enforcing road traffic laws, expected by the end of 2026, and the deployment of over 700 Digital Enrolment Stations for the National Criminal Automated Biometric Identification System nationwide by the same deadline. Mubarak assured the Police Service of government support but demanded high standards of accountability, integrity, and professionalism from commanders, urging them to strengthen public confidence.

“

So it is better to return these bottles so as not to finance the deposit system.