How John Mahama improved security in Ghana

With its National Security Strategy, the Mahama/NDC administration constantly examined security threats across the country and focused on how to prevent them and what to do if a disaster occurs. Each month, the Mahama government through the various security outfits investigated potential threats to the country, and there are any, how serious they are and how the administration in collaboration with the security agents can deal with them.

The administration’s procedures for analysing, comparing and dealing with security threats were explored in a dedicated subsections. The national security strategy implementation method was explained in the document guideline for the national security implementation method: scenarios, risk assessment and capacities. These scientifically tested method and guideline were drawn up by a group of experts, research institutes etc. The administration regularly examined whether public bodies, businesses and individual citizens were well protected and prepared for crises and disasters. It introduced continuity plans, which ensured that the public and businesses continued to function well.

The biggest retooling of the security agencies in recent Ghanaian history happened under the Mahama/NDC administration.

The numerical strength of the police service improved from 23,204 in 2012 to 32,117 in 2014 and went up in 2016. This brought Ghana closer to the United Nations benchmark of 1:500 (PRA).

This also led to an increase in police visibility and accessibility.

According the statistics released by the police service and corroborated by security experts, between 2013 and 2014 the crime rate dropped by 5,000 and dropped further between 2015 and 2016.

For the first time in Ghana’s history, a maritime police unit was set up under the Mahama administration and equipped with modern boats to police the country’s territorial waters

A total of 1,424 vehicles were procured for the police service by the Mahama administration. More vehicles with sophisticated security were procured for the service between 2015 and 2016. Out of this number, 1089 high performance pvehicles were procured between 2012 and 2014.

This is against 547 that were bought between 2001 and 2008.

14 maverick vehicles were delivered to the service to enhance the work of the police.

Logistics such as bullet proof vests, riot control gear and modern mobile clinic vans were procured for the police.

The Army, Navy and Airforce also benefitted from the administration’s comprehensive retooling programme. The administration procured a fleet of modern aircraft and accessories to enable the airforce to better perform their functions of protecting the country’s airspace. The Government also procured more equipment for the Army to enhance their operations in a number of peace keeping operation theatres. Ghana finalised arrangements to procure additional modern ships to boost the capacity of the country’s Navy. The National fire service took delivery of 126 new fire fighting vehicles in 2012, an additional 80 fire tenders were procured which brought the number to 206. The administration also improved our border patrol operations by the installation of border surveillance systems at 15 out of 17 strategically selected border control points throughout the country. It also implemented the e- immigration project and placed the immigration bill before parliament. When they took over, the administration provided $300 million for the acquisition of military equipment to empower them carry out their mandate. The administration commissioned a new hanger and rehabilitated the old ones.The facility, which has fire fighting facilities. Ambulance service, servicing and maintenance facilities, also protect the aircraft and other equipment from the vagaries of the weather.

Part 1