The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has called for a more proactive, intelligence-led policing approach in the Western Region, urging security agencies to strengthen collaboration and identify potential threats before they escalate into major security incidents.
The Minister made the call during a three-day working visit to the region from November 9 to 11, 2026, as part of efforts to assess the security situation, engage key stakeholders and reinforce Ghana’s security architecture.
The visit has brought together regional authorities, security personnel, traditional leaders and religious organisations to examine existing security concerns and develop more coordinated responses to emerging threats.
Intelligence-Led Policing Takes Centre Stage
During a courtesy call on the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, Hon. Muntaka emphasised the importance of understanding local security conditions and addressing operational challenges confronting security institutions.
He explained that the visit was intended to provide an opportunity to interact directly with security agencies and other institutions under the Ministry of the Interior to understand their operational needs.
“Our mission here is to interact with the security agencies, to know the things that are happening in the Western Region, get the opportunity to interact with the non-security agencies under the Ministry of Interior, get to know what challenges they are also going through and how the region is doing.”
Honourable Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarack, Interior Minister
The Minister’s position reflects a broader national security direction that prioritises intelligence gathering, timely information sharing and preventive interventions over responses initiated only after incidents occur.
Western Region Security Challenges Under Review
At a meeting with the Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC), the Minister received a briefing on the prevailing security situation, ongoing interventions and emerging concerns requiring attention.
Mr. Nelson acknowledged that the region’s considerable natural resources and extensive coastline presented both economic opportunities and security challenges. He identified chieftaincy disputes, illegal mining, maritime security threats and drug-related activities involving some young people as major concerns requiring sustained attention.
The concerns highlight the need for security agencies to adopt approaches that respond to the different geographical and social conditions within the region.In particular, the combination of coastal activities, natural resource extraction and cross-border movement makes effective surveillance, intelligence exchange and cooperation among relevant institutions essential.
Hon.Muntaka reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with the Regional Coordinating Council, REGSEC and other stakeholders to strengthen security coordination and maintain law and order.
Stronger Partnerships to Improve Public Safety
Beyond engagements with security agencies, the Minister’s visit includes meetings with traditional authorities, Christian and Muslim leaders, and other community representatives. At a stakeholder engagement in Sekondi, he urged religious and traditional leaders to take an active role in protecting Ghana’s peace and stability.
“We cannot leave our security in the hands of only the police, military, and other security agencies, but we as faith-based leaders must also play active roles to keep our communities in peace and harmony.”
Honourable Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Interior Minister
He encouraged community leaders to promote religious tolerance, resolve local disputes before they develop into larger conflicts, guide young people away from criminal activities and report early warning signs to the appropriate authorities.
These engagements reinforce the importance of community participation in intelligence-led policing, particularly in identifying local tensions and developments that may not immediately come to the attention of security institutions.
Elubo Border Visit to Assess Security Operations
Another significant activity on the Minister’s itinerary is a visit to the Elubo Border to assess security operations and border management activities.The visit is expected to provide an opportunity to examine operational arrangements at the border and inspect ongoing projects aimed at strengthening security infrastructure.
The focus on border management is particularly relevant to efforts to address transnational criminal activities, including trafficking and other organised offences that exploit gaps in security coordination.
The Ministry’s recent emphasis on the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) Ghana Programme also reflects the growing importance of information sharing in modern law enforcement. The system is intended to strengthen criminal investigations through improved cooperation and access to relevant information among participating institutions.
As the working visit concludes, the emphasis remains on translating stakeholder discussions into practical interventions that strengthen public safety. Ultimately, the success of intelligence-led policing in the Western Region will depend not only on security deployments but also on reliable information, institutional cooperation and the willingness of communities to participate in protecting the peace.
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