President John Dramani Mahama has urged the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to protect the dignity of individuals brought in for questioning, stressing that the conduct of investigations must respect the rights and comfort of those who use its interrogation facilities.

He made the appeal during the commissioning of renovated interrogation rooms at the Bureau, which have been upgraded with soundproofing and digital recording equipment.

President Mahama acknowledged that interrogation forms part of the investigative work undertaken by the BNI but maintained that the process must not disregard the dignity of individuals.

“I pray that Ghanaians don’t have to come to the interrogation rooms. But when they come, their dignity must be protected”.
President John Dramani Mahama

He noted that the renovated rooms had been made more comfortable and inviting, adding that the improvements were intended to provide a better environment for interrogations.

The President added that the facilities were not an invitation anyone would wish to accept, urging Ghanaians to avoid circumstances that could bring them before the Bureau for questioning.

However, he stressed that when individuals do come into contact with the interrogation process, the BNI must ensure that they are comfortable and treated with dignity. His remarks placed emphasis on the responsibility of the Bureau to maintain appropriate conditions within its investigative facilities while carrying out its security mandate.

Renovated Rooms Receive Soundproofing and Digital Equipment

The renovated interrogation rooms formed part of the facilities commissioned by the President as the government sought to improve the BNI’s operational and investigative infrastructure.

President Mahama disclosed that the rooms had undergone upgrades, including the installation of soundproofing and new digital tools for recording interrogations. The improvements are intended to provide a more suitable environment for investigative activities and support the recording of proceedings within the rooms.

He expressed satisfaction with the upgrades, identifying the renovated facilities as another important component of the support being provided to the Bureau.

The President’s comments highlighted the importance of the physical environment in which interrogations take place, particularly the need to ensure that individuals are treated appropriately while investigators carry out their duties.

Intelligence and Investigations Remain Central to Security

President Mahama’s remarks on the interrogation facilities formed part of a broader address on the importance of intelligence and investigations to Ghana’s national security. He described the BNI as an important institution whose officers undertake intelligence gathering and investigative work that often remains outside public view.

President John Dramani Mahama

According to the President, the Bureau provides information that supports the work of the Police Service, the military and other security agencies. He also drew attention to the security threats confronting Ghana from the Sahel and the wider sub-region, stressing the need to equip intelligence institutions to perform their duties effectively.

The President argued that the changing nature of crime requires security agencies to strengthen their investigative capabilities, particularly as criminals increasingly exploit digital technology.

He therefore highlighted the commissioning of a digital forensic laboratory as an important development in the Bureau’s efforts to investigate cybercrime and other sophisticated offences.

Digital Tools to Support Investigative Work

The President explained that technology had changed how crimes are committed and how investigators can obtain information to solve them. He cited the use of mobile phone examinations in investigations involving armed robbery, noting that information retrieved from a suspect’s device could help identify other members of a criminal gang.

President Mahama maintained that the BNI must continue to improve its technological capacity to remain ahead of criminals who increasingly use digital tools to commit offences.

The commissioning of the forensic laboratory and the renovated interrogation rooms therefore represented separate but related investments in the Bureau’s investigative infrastructure.

While the laboratory is intended to strengthen digital investigations, the upgraded interrogation facilities provide improved conditions for questioning and recording investigative proceedings.

President Mahama concluded by commending BNI officers for their work and urging them to support the Director-General and the Bureau’s leadership. He called on the officers to continue working to keep Ghana safe, while ensuring that their investigative responsibilities are carried out with due regard for the dignity of individuals brought before them.