“We will give you right instruments so you do your duty” — Prez. Mahama to Police

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to protect both citizens and security personnel, as he handed over 40 operational vehicles to the Ghana Police Service at a ceremony in Accra on Thursday.

The new fleet—comprising 15 armoured pickups, five Cobra-4s and 20 Cobra-3 special armoured vehicles—forms part of a broader government effort to retool and modernise the country’s security architecture.

Addressing officers at the Police Headquarters, President Mahama stressed that the investment was not symbolic, but a practical step toward enhancing operational capacity and safeguarding the lives of officers.

“We will give you the right instruments so that as you do your duty, you also are safe,” he said, linking previous tragedies involving police personnel to inadequate equipment.

“Too often, we have lost men in the line of duty because we send them on missions without the appropriate tools. That is going to be a thing of the past.”

He described the acquisition as a renewed covenant with the Ghanaian people to defend peace, protect communities and ensure national stability. The President also issued a stern warning to criminal elements, vowing that the state would not cede “a single street, a community, or any public space” to wrongdoers.

President Mahama further disclosed that the 40 vehicles were only the first batch of incoming logistics, with two tow trucks, 10 covert operational vehicles and a pickup for every police district expected soon. Plans are also underway to train a police detachment in the use of drones for surveillance.

While highlighting operational improvements, he emphasised the need for accountability and public trust.

”The police must not only be feared by wrongdoers, but citizens must also trust the police,” he said, citing ongoing reforms in training, supervision and respect for human rights.

President Mahama concluded by paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of police officers and emphasised that national security goes beyond equipment, extending into job creation, community development and the fight against poverty.

“A secure Ghana will be built not only through safeguards, but also through opportunity, dignity and trust,” he said.

On his part, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening internal security.

The Interior Minister described the gesture as “a landmark step in Ghana’s long-term strategy to reinforce national stability and protect citizens.”

According to him, the new fleet is not simply about enhancing mobility but represents “a declaration of purpose” and a fulfilment of the security-related pledges captured in the 2024 People’s Manifesto.

Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak expressed gratitude to President Mahama for what he described as “clear vision and firm leadership” in retooling the country’s security institutions.

He noted that the Ministry of the Interior remains fully aligned with the President’s plan to build a modern, intelligent, well-equipped security architecture capable of responding swiftly and effectively to emerging threats.

“These armoured vehicles will significantly strengthen police resilience during high-risk operations, including armed robberies, insurgent threats, and violent crimes,” he stated.

“They represent the kind of practical investment that saves lives, deters crime, and improves officer safety.”

The Minister emphasised, however, that the vehicles form only part of a broader reform agenda.

He highlighted ongoing improvements in training, welfare, supervision, accommodation, and technology deployment across security agencies such as Immigration, the Fire Service, Prisons Service and NADMO.

Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak also issued a strong warning against rising attacks on security personnel, describing them as unacceptable and a direct assault on the state.

“These attacks must stop,” he stressed. “With the enhanced capabilities we commission today, such conduct must become a thing of the past.”

He also cautioned police officers to exercise professionalism and integrity while using the new assets, insisting that the vehicles are “instruments of protection, not oppression.”

He urged personnel to uphold discipline, fairness, and respect in their daily operations, noting that public trust depends heavily on police conduct.

Taking his turn, Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has expressed profound gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and the government following the official handing over of 40 advanced armoured vehicles to the Ghana Police Service.

The ceremony took place at the Emergency Command Centre of the Police Headquarters on Thursday.

The fleet includes 15 armoured pick-up vehicles, 20 COBRA-3, and 5 COBRA-4 high-grade armoured carriers, which the IGP described as a major milestone in enhancing police safety and operational effectiveness nationwide.

Welcoming President Mahama on his first official visit to the Police Headquarters since assuming office, the IGP said the vehicles come at a time when police officers are facing increasingly dangerous encounters in their daily operations.

He noted that rising levels of armed attacks and high-risk criminal activities make robust logistics and protective equipment indispensable.

Mr. Yohuno highlighted that the government’s commitment—particularly the ₵1 billion investment announced under the “Reset the Nation” agenda—demonstrates a clear resolve to empower the security services.

He commended the President for fulfilling his promise to supply armoured vehicles to protect officers during patrols and high-risk operations.

“Your Excellency, you have walked your talk,” he said.

“These vehicles will significantly enhance officer safety, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen security across the country.”

The IGP outlined several major security breakthroughs recorded in recent months through enhanced intelligence-led operations.

These include the arrest of suspects involved in rural bank robberies, fuel station robberies at Mpasatia, attacks on mobile money vendors, serial murders in Wa and Bole, vehicle theft syndicates, and fraudulent online food delivery schemes.

He noted that officers often confront heavily armed criminals in difficult terrain, sometimes sustaining life-threatening injuries, and in some tragic instances paying the ultimate price.

The new vehicles, he added, will drastically improve officer protection and change the dynamics of policing across Ghana.

“With these armoured vehicles, we will launch bold, robust and targeted operations nationwide,” Mr. Yohuno declared.

“To those disturbing the peace of this country—know that we are coming for you. You can run and hide, but we will surely get you.”

The IGP assured the President that the armoured vehicles would be properly maintained and strategically deployed to achieve maximum impact.

He urged officers across all 25 police regions to remain motivated and committed to protecting lives and maintaining order.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith