Private security banned from using unapproved equipment

Accra, Nov. 18, GNA - The Ministry of The Interior on Thursday warned private security organisations not to use weapons and unauthorised equipment and said errant organisations would be sanctioned.

A statement signed by Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Minister of The Interior, said the Ministry had noted that some private security organisations had been using strobe lights and sirens on their vehicles. They have also been using weapons without the approval of the Inspector-General of Police.

The statement said these actions contravened the law which states: "The Inspector-General of Police shall not approve for use under this regulation if in the Inspector-General's opinion that article has a resemblance to a similar article used by the Ghana Police Service, Prisons Service and the Armed Forces of Ghana."

The Ministry said the IGP believes that the use of these equipments contravened the law "and all companies are therefore required with immediate effect to remove the strobe lights from their vehicles...and desist from the use of sirens".

It said the use of weapons by any company is also not authorised. "All private security organisations are to note that the use of any equipment that remotely mimics those of the security agencies would need the approval of the Inspector-General of Police.

"Failure to comply with the above will lead to serious sanctions being applied against the company concerned, including the revocation of licences."