Stop Private Armies And Stop Filming Recruits - Interior Minister Orders Police Commanders

Story by Fada Amakye

The Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has warned chiefs, political parties and individuals against forming private forces for self-protection.

He said the act is illegal under the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act 2019 (Act 999) and must not be tolerated.

There should be no forces for protection of any person or group except those authorized by the state,_ the Minister said. _I charge you and your commanders to nip this in the bud and bring perpetrators to book.

Hon. Muntaka was speaking at a conference of Police Commanders, where he commended the Ghana Police Service for keeping the nation safe.

Ghana remains safe and peaceful because of your diligence, dedication and exemplary leadership of the Inspector General of Police, and we are very grateful. Your sleepless nights to keep us sleeping, your movement and sacrifices and risk of life to keep us safe, we don’t take it lightly,”_ he said.

He told the commanders that the Police is the most visible arm of government and how officers conduct themselves shapes how Ghanaians trust the state.

The Ministry can secure budgets and design policies, but policy without execution is promise without performance. The execution lies with you, he said.

The Minister also expressed concern about videos and photos of police recruits in training schools being recorded and shared on social media.

He has directed all service commanders to stop the practice immediately.

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, he stated.

He added that how trainees are treated reflects the standard expected of them when they join active service.

I stand before you not merely as the political head of the Ministry, but as a partner in building a police service that every Ghanaian can trust, every citizen can approach, and every community can rely upon, he said.