President John Dramani Mahama has announced a bold GHS 1 billion retooling package for Ghana’s security agencies, aimed at enhancing their operational capacity and addressing long-standing logistical constraints.
The President made the announcement during a courtesy visit paid to him at the Jubilee House by senior officers of all eleven agencies under the Ministry of the Interior.
Addressing the delegation, President Mahama expressed deep concern over the difficult working conditions faced by the nation’s security services and emphasised his administration’s commitment to reversing the trend.
“We all know the difficult circumstances that you work under, and we’ve actually been discussing with the Minister of Interior how we can provide those services so that you have the equipment and logistics to be able to do your work. I managed to squeeze the Minister of Finance’s hand behind his back, and we’ll get a budget of GHS 1 billion for retooling your various services.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama singled out the Ghana National Fire Service as a top priority under the planned retooling, citing an alarming lack of functioning equipment.
He explained that the last set of fire tenders was procured nearly a decade ago under the late President John Evans Atta Mills’ administration, adding that since then, most of those vehicles have broken down, leaving the service severely under-equipped to respond promptly to emergencies.
“When there are fire outbreaks and fire service personnel arrive late, people get angry, but they just don’t have the fire tenders. They are working under difficult circumstances, and so one of the priorities will be to get some new fire tenders for you.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Other Service Agencies
Turning his attention to the Ghana Police Service, the President noted that officers are often required to confront heavily armed criminals without adequate protection.
He expressed concern that patrol teams are expected to engage armed robbers—many wielding AK-47 rifles—while riding in poorly equipped, light-skinned vehicles. “Getting them armoured plated vehicles for their patrols and highway duties is also something that we’ll look at seriously,” he assured.
President Mahama further addressed the mobility crisis facing both the Immigration and Prisons Services. He pointed out that most of the vehicles used by these agencies are over ten years old and are largely out of service.
This situation, he said, severely hampers the ability of officers to respond effectively and carry out their duties with efficiency. “We will consider getting some new vehicles for you so that you can increase the mobility of your officers,” he stated.
The President’s assurance came at a time when public discourse around national security readiness and emergency response capacity is intensifying.
By allocating GHS 1 billion specifically for retooling, the Mahama administration is signaling a decisive move to address operational deficiencies that have long frustrated both officers and citizens alike.
The visit by the senior officers to the Jubilee House was marked by a significant gesture of goodwill: a donation of GHS 1 million to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as “Mahama Cares.”
The fund is set to provide support for citizens suffering from non-communicable disease, and President Mahama commended the agencies for their contribution and for prioritising the welfare of their members.
As Ghana continues to confront challenges ranging from violent crime to public safety emergencies, the government’s pledge to invest heavily in the security sector comes as a welcome relief to many.
The President’s remarks also served as a public call for greater understanding and patience from the citizenry regarding the difficulties faced by officers on the ground.
Call for Cooperation
President Maham urged Ghanaians to recognise the courage and resilience of security personnel working under resource-deprived conditions, adding that this new financial commitment would not only boost morale but also significantly enhance service delivery across the board.
The GHS 1 billion retooling package is expected to cover the procurement of modern firefighting equipment, armoured patrol vehicles, communication tools, and transportation units tailored to the operational needs of the various interior agencies.
It also positions the Mahama administration as actively responsive to the operational needs of security services, especially at a time when public confidence in emergency response systems needs rebuilding.
President Mahama’s promise marks a crucial step toward restoring institutional capacity and professionalism in Ghana’s internal security sector.
With a clear roadmap and fiscal commitment, the retooling programme is poised to have far-reaching impacts on the safety, stability, and confidence of the nation’s frontline defenders.
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