Former President John Dramani Mahama has pledged a GHS1 billion budget to retool Ghana’s security services, highlighting the urgent need for improved equipment and support for agencies like the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana National Fire Service.
“I have managed to squeeze the hand of the Minister of Finance to his back, and we will get a budget of a billion cedis for retooling of your various services,” President Mahama said following a recent Security Council meeting.
He expressed deep concern about the operational strain on the Fire Service, citing the outdated nature of their equipment. “The Fire Service needs equipment urgently. I empathise with them when they get insulted by people when they do not get to fire incidents early. The issue is that they do not have the equipment. Some of the equipment was bought 10 years ago. There has not been a retooling,” he explained.
During his address on Friday, June 20, the former president urged the public to recognise the difficult conditions under which the agencies operate. He stressed the pressure on the police as well, noting, “The police have to confront armed robbers every day, and you do not expect them to do it in light-skinned vehicles.”
As part of broader support efforts, senior officials from 11 Interior Ministry agencies have contributed GHS1 million to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, known as the Mahama Cares Fund, which supports Ghanaians battling chronic illnesses.
Agencies contributing to the fund include the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Prisons Service, National Disaster Management Organisation, Ghana National Fire Service, Narcotics Control Commission, National Identification Authority, Gaming Commission, National Peace Council, Refugee Board, and the Small Arms Commission.
