Mahama secures GH₵1 billion to retool security sector

The government is set to allocate GH₵1 billion toward retooling Ghana’s security services, with urgent interventions promised to address critical logistical gaps facing frontline agencies such as the Fire Service and Police.

This was revealed by President John Dramani Mahama during a meeting with the National Security Council on Friday, June 20, 2025.

The announcement follows discussions during the National Security Council meeting, where the President disclosed that he had successfully persuaded the Finance Minister to release the funds.

President Mahama noted that the Ghana National Fire Service is among the most affected, highlighting the outdated and broken-down equipment they currently operate with.

He assured that providing new fire engines will be a key priority under the retooling initiative.

Turning to the Ghana Police Service, President Mahama emphasized the daily risks officers face in tackling crime, especially armed robbery.

The initiative forms part of the Mahama administration’s broader strategy to strengthen public safety and ensure that security agencies have the tools needed to protect lives and property across the countr

He said, “I know you work under difficult circumstances, and we’ve actually been discussing with the Minister for the Interior how we can retool your services so that you have the equipment and logistics to be able to do your work. We had a National Security Council meeting this afternoon, and I managed to squeeze the Minister of Finance’s hand behind his back and we’ll get a budget of a billion cedis for retooling of your various services..”

“Fire service needs fire equipment urgently. Let me say I empathise with my sister here. When the fire service arrives late, people get angry. But they just don’t have the fire tenders. The last set of fire tenders were bought almost 9 years, 10 years ago from Prof. Mills time, there’s not been a retooling, most of those tenders are broken down.”

“So I urge the public to be patient with our fire officers. They are working under difficult circumstances. And so one of the priorities will be to get some new fire tenders for you..”