Mahama Announces GHS1bn to Retool Security Services

Accra, Ghana - 20 June, 2025 - Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama has pledged a significant boost to the country's security agencies, allocating GHS1 billion to retool and modernize their operations.

The move follows concerns raised by the President about the operational challenges facing the services, particularly the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana National Fire Service.

Speaking on Friday, President Mahama acknowledged the dire need for new equipment and resources, citing the Fire Service's struggle to respond to emergencies due to outdated fire tenders.

“I have managed to squeeze the hand of the Minister of Finance to his back, and we will get a budget of a billion cedis for retooling of your various services,” President Mahama disclosed.

“The Fire Service needs equipment urgently. I empathise with them when they get insulted by people when they do not get to fire incidents early. The issue is that they do not have the equipment. Some of the equipment was bought 10 years ago. There has not been a retooling,” the President explained.

The President's announcement comes after a recent Security Council meeting, where he emphasized the importance of addressing the operational challenges hindering the effectiveness of security agencies.

“The police have to confront armed robbers every day, and you do not expect them to do it in light-skinned vehicles,” he said.

He noted that the lack of adequate resources not only hampers their ability to respond to emergencies but also puts personnel at risk.

In a separate development, senior officers from 11 agencies under the Ministry of the Interior have donated GHS1 million to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as the Mahama Cares Fund. The fund aims to support individuals battling chronic diseases. The contributing agencies include the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and the Ghana National Fire Service, among others.

Source: Lead News Online