Henry Quartey
The Ministry of the Interior has cautioned all private security organisations to desist from using unauthorised uniforms.
A statement issued and signed on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 by the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry, Doreen Annan, said private security organisations who fail to comply with the directive will be sanctioned.
It said as part of the ministry’s efforts to regulate the private security organisations, two people were arrested for violating regulations governing private security organisations in Ghana.
It said the individuals were found wearing unprescribed uniforms similar to the military uniform contrary the regulations outlined in “the Police Service, Private Security Organisations Regulations, 1992, LI 1571 and the Police Service Organisation (Amendment) Regulation 1994.”
According to the statement, the arrested officers were granted bail but the police and the ministry will however apply the necessary sanctions against the company involved.
“The Ministry cautions all Private Security Organisations to comply with the regulations, wear only the approved uniforms and operate within their limit, otherwise the police will arrest and act against any organisation or individual who fails to comply with the regulations and face the law,” it pointed out.
It further indicated that though the ministry appreciates the critical role of the private security organisations in complementing the role of the security services in Ghana, it will not compromise the regulations designed to ensure the safety and security of all Ghanaians.
“The Ministry of the Interior will continue to create a safe and secure environment for all Ghanaians and is committed to working with the private security industry to achieve this goal,” it added.
Some of the uniforms approved by the ministry for private security organisations include “white long /short sleeve shirts over a pair of ash khaki trousers with white stripes on both sides.”
Others are “cream long/short sleeved shirts over brown khaki trousers with cream stripes, mauve long/ short sleeve shirts over a pair of maroon trousers with mauve stripes on both sides, and yellow shirt with ash/grey reflectors across the back and front over brown khaki trousers (solely for the mines and oil fields).”
It said the Ministry of the Interior in 2023 began a nationwide sensitisation and monitoring exercise to ensure compliance with the regulations while closely monitoring private security organisations to ensure adherence.