By: Juliet Mettle-Edmonds
Interior Minister Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has raised concerns over the increasing sophistication and frequency of armed robberies across various regions of Ghana. He noted that the current wave of violent incidents, from highway robberies in the north to urban attacks in the south, has created widespread fear and panic among citizens, with far-reaching implications for public safety and the national economy.
He stressed that strategies to combat these crimes must move beyond reactive measures such as patrols and checkpoints.
‘Security is not just the absence of violence, but the presence of justice, safety, and opportunity. The strategies to curb robberies must go beyond reactive patrols and checkpoints. I wish to suggest the following international best practices:
‘Predictive Policing through Data and Intelligence: Establish data fusion centres that analyse crime patterns, hot zones, and socio-economic indicators to anticipate criminal activity’.
‘Community Policing Revival: Deepen police-community partnerships to encourage intelligence sharing and rebuild trust’.
‘Targeted Special Operations: Use special tactical units to neutralize organized crime syndicates and recover illegal weapons’.
‘Smart Surveillance Technology: Integrate CCTV, drone surveillance, and AI-supported monitoring in high-crime areas’.
‘Rapid Response Units: Enhance regional rapid response capacity with helicopters, motorbikes, and armoured vehicles’.
‘Police Welfare and Morale Boosting: A well-motivated officer is the best line of defense. We will continue to improve accommodation, healthcare, and logistical support’.
