President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned 111 new vehicles and a digital forensic laboratory for the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), in a move to strengthen the agency’s intelligence-gathering and investigative capabilities.
The facilities and logistics support are expected to improve the Bureau’s ability to investigate sophisticated crimes, respond to emerging security threats and support other security agencies with vital intelligence.
“As the criminals take one step towards digitalisation, we also as a bureau must take two steps ahead of them in terms of digitalisation.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Mahama emphasised the importance of intelligence and investigations to national security, describing the BNI as a critical institution whose work often goes unnoticed by the public.
Mahama Highlights BNI’s Role in National Security
The President observed that public discussions about national security often focus on visible institutions such as the Police Service, the military and the Immigration Service, without recognising the intelligence work undertaken behind the scenes.
He described BNI officers as unsung heroes who conduct investigations, gather intelligence and provide information that enables security agencies to protect the country. President Mahama assured the Bureau that the government takes its work seriously and would continue to provide the resources needed to improve its operational effectiveness.
He pointed to the threats confronting Ghana from the Sahel and the wider sub-region, stressing that intelligence gathering and investigations were essential to equipping the police, military and other security institutions with the information required to keep the country safe.
The President therefore underscored the need to provide the Bureau with adequate logistics, particularly as criminal activities become more sophisticated.
Digital Forensic Laboratory to Strengthen Investigations
President Mahama explained that the nature of crime had changed considerably with technological advancement, shifting from predominantly physical offences such as robbery and burglary to increasingly sophisticated digital crimes.
He identified scammers, hackers and other individuals who exploit digital platforms to commit offences as emerging challenges that require security agencies to strengthen their technological capabilities.
According to him, the newly commissioned digital forensic laboratory will help the BNI investigate cybercrime and other technology-driven offences. The President noted that digital devices, particularly mobile phones, could provide investigators with valuable information when examining criminal activities.
He cited instances in which accessing the phone of a suspected armed robber had helped investigators identify other members of a criminal gang and establish their involvement in robbery operations.
He explained that such capabilities demonstrate how technology can help solve crimes that investigators might previously have struggled to unravel. President Mahama urged the Bureau to remain ahead of criminals in adopting technology, arguing that security institutions must continually improve their digital capabilities as offenders exploit new technological tools.
111 Vehicles to Improve BNI Mobility
The President also commissioned 111 vehicles to address logistical challenges that have affected the Bureau’s intelligence-gathering and investigative operations.
He identified the lack of serviceable vehicles as one of the major constraints on the agency’s work, recalling that some of the vehicles previously used by officers were old and in poor condition.
Mahama disclosed that he had seen some of the Bureau’s deteriorating vehicles struggling to transport officers over long distances, including journeys to Bawku, to gather intelligence.
He expressed confidence that the new fleet would improve the mobility of officers and enable them to carry out their assignments more efficiently. The vehicles comprise 100 Mitsubishi pickup trucks, six Toyota station wagons and five Toyota Prado vehicles.
The addition of the fleet is expected to strengthen the Bureau’s capacity to deploy officers for investigations and intelligence-gathering activities across the country.
Mahama Calls for Proper Maintenance
While commending the government’s investment in the new vehicles, President Mahama cautioned officers and drivers against careless handling and poor maintenance. He stressed that the vehicles were expensive assets that required responsible use and regular servicing to ensure they remained operational for several years.
The President specifically urged the Bureau’s transport section and drivers to ensure that routine maintenance, including timely oil and filter changes, was carried out. He indicated that proper maintenance could keep the vehicles in good condition for between eight and ten years, allowing the Bureau to derive long-term value from the investment.
President Mahama also announced that the government would procure additional vehicles for the security agencies in 2027, with the BNI expected to receive further additions to its fleet.
He concluded by commending officers for their work and urging them to support the Director-General and the Bureau’s leadership in carrying out their responsibilities. The President called on the officers to sustain their efforts to protect the country, emphasising the importance of their contribution to national security.
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