President John Dramani Mahama has declared an uncompromising national stance against crime as he handed over 40 advanced armoured vehicles to the Ghana Police Service, marking one of the most significant boosts to police logistics in recent years.
The handover ceremony, held at the Police Headquarters in Accra, featured a powerful call to defend Ghana’s peace and renew public confidence in the state’s capacity to confront rising security threats.
The fleet, made up of 15 armoured pickups, 5 Cobra 4 units and 20 Cobra 3 special armoured vehicles, represents a major step in President Mahama’s agenda to modernise the country’s security architecture.
In his address, the President said the vehicles were more than operational assets—they were a renewed pledge of protection to every Ghanaian citizen.
“We are doing far more than just presenting equipment. We are renewing our covenant with the people of Ghana that this nation will protect its citizens, that peace will be defended and that Ghana will remain secure, stable and just.”
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama underscored that the ceremony must not be reduced to the symbolism of showcasing machinery. Instead, it should be seen as a demonstration of state responsibility and readiness.
The President noted that the Police Service remains the frontline guardian of Ghana’s internal security, responding first to emergencies and serving as the buffer between peaceful citizens and those who threaten national order.
Yet, he lamented the recurring reality in which officers are tasked with confronting high-risk criminals without adequate tools. “Too often we have lost men in the line of duty because we send them on missions and assignments without providing them with the appropriate equipment to ensure their safety,” he stated.
Retooling of Ghana’s Security Service
President Mahama explained that from the beginning of his administration, he committed to retooling Ghana’s security agencies, insisting that lasting peace is not accidental but built through “investment, institutional strengthening, professionalism, and vigilance.”
Linking security to economic transformation, the President underlined that the emerging 24-hour economy, expanding trade corridors and rising digital innovation cannot thrive without a stable environment. “Without strong security, development cannot thrive and societies cannot progress,” he said.
He described the new vehicles as tools specifically designed to strengthen the police response in high-risk situations. According to him, the new vehicles will enhance officer protection during dangerous operations, reinforce patrols in rugged terrain and high-crime zones, improve convoy, crowd control, and rapid response capabilities, and give officers the operational advantage they deserve when confronting violent criminals.
President Mahama delivered one of his strongest warnings yet to criminal networks and organised syndicates, declaring that “Ghana will not surrender a single street, a community or any public space to criminals today, tomorrow or forever.”
“To those who insist on disturbing the peace of our nation—whether through armed robbery, organised crime, illegal arms trafficking or gang activity—our message is simple: The Ghanaian state is ready. The Ghana Police Service is ready”.
President John Dramani Mahama
He stressed that security must always go hand in hand with justice, accountability, and professionalism. While expanding capacity and resources, the government is also deepening internal reforms within the Police Service, including enhanced training, improved recruitment standards, stronger supervision, and upgraded command-and-control structures. “The police must not only be feared by wrongdoers, but citizens must also trust the police,” he stressed.
Responsible Use of Vehicles
Turning to the officers who will operate the vehicles, the President urged discipline and responsibility. He described the vehicles as “expensive and hard to procure,” and encouraged officers to use them according to protocol. “Your safety is important. Always follow the safety instructions. Wear seat belts when you are driving these vehicles,” he cautioned.
President Mahama praised the courage of police personnel who serve on the frontlines at personal risk. “Those who patrol our streets at night, those who rush towards danger when all of us are running away—your sacrifices are seen, your service is valued,” he said, extending gratitude also to their families who “carry the emotional burden of your duty.”
The deployment of the vehicles, he announced, will be based on intelligence assessments and will be complemented by upgraded communications systems, accelerated response processes and cross-agency intelligence sharing. However, while enforcement is critical, the President argued that economic and social development remain essential components of national security.
Alignment with Broader Reset Agenda
This, he said, aligns with the government’s broader RESET Agenda, which prioritises job creation, TVET expansion, infrastructure improvement and poverty reduction. He explained that “a secure Ghana will be built not only through safeguards but also through opportunity, dignity and trust.”
Addressing the public directly, President Mahama said the government is aware of citizens’ concerns about crime and the demand for more visible policing. He assured Ghanaians that the actions being undertaken represent a constitutional obligation to protect lives and property.
“Your lives, your businesses, your freedom, and your property remain a top priority of this government,” he affirmed. He added that the vehicles also serve as a “fair warning” to criminals: “Your activities will be disrupted, your networks will be dismantled, and your impunity will be brought to an end.”
Closing the ceremony, the President called on all stakeholders to recommit to safeguarding Ghana’s peace and strengthening the rule of law. “As we commission these vehicles today, let us renew our collective resolve to uphold the rule of law and ensure Ghana remains a beacon of peace and security in our sub-region,” he said.
President Mahama concluded by invoking national unity and God’s protection for both the police and the country: “May God bless the Ghana Police Service and may God bless our homeland, Ghana.”
READ ALSO: Macron Presses Xi to ‘Overcome Differences’ in High-Stakes Beijing Talks
