Ghanaian authorities restrict siren and police escort use to authorized personnel

Ghana's Cabinet has issued a directive mandating written authorization from the Interior Minister for the installation or use of sirens on any vehicle, whether official or private. This directive also extends to the utilization of police escort services, which now require explicit approval from either the Interior Minister or the Inspector General of Police (IGP). The Ghana Police Service has been instructed to rigorously enforce these regulations. This includes the removal and seizure of any unauthorized sirens, the cessation of unauthorized police escorts, and the initiation of legal action against offenders. Parliament Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin conveyed this directive to Members of Parliament, highlighting the national interest in the efficient, accountable, and lawful use of public resources. He stressed that police personnel and resources are national assets that must be deployed judiciously and strictly in accordance with the law. Bagbin noted that the indiscriminate use of sirens compromises road safety, erodes public trust in authority, and diminishes the effectiveness of emergency services that genuinely require priority access. He urged MPs to adhere to the directive and seek appropriate guidance through established channels if clarification is needed regarding its application.

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Honourable Members, the efficient, accountable and lawful utilisation of public resources is a matter of legitimate national interest.