Interior Minister Muntaka Outlines Sweeping Security Reforms and Accountability Measures in National Briefing

Interior Minister Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka has unveiled a comprehensive update on Ghana’s national security landscape, highlighting significant progress in prosecutorial actions and technological modernization. Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on August 24, 2026, the Minister revealed that 26 suspects have been prosecuted for election-related violence stemming from the 2020 and 2024 general elections. Following a directive for a thorough probe by President John Mahama, 25 of these individuals are currently on trial while one has been discharged. However, 13 suspects remain at large, including Alhaji Abdul-Latif Copshe, a prime suspect in the 2024 Nyankpala shooting who was controversially elected as an NPP Constituency Youth Organiser while in hiding. The Minister urged the public to assist the police in locating these fugitives to ensure full accountability for the 15 deaths and 40 injuries recorded during those periods.

In a major shift toward digital governance, the Ministry announced that routine roadside checks by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) will be phased out by September 2026. A new automated system, TRAFITECH, will utilize cameras and radar to detect over 47 different traffic offences, sending electronic notifications directly to offenders. This initiative, supported by the deployment of 700 digital enrolment stations nationwide, aims to eliminate opportunities for roadside corruption and modernize the relationship between motorists and law enforcement. Additionally, the government is implementing new helmet safety standards following the legalization of commercial motorcycle use, with enforcement set to begin in December after an extensive educational campaign.

Addressing immigration and border security, Minister Muntaka reported that 4,201 foreign nationals have been removed from the country since 2025, including 2,281 migrant beggars and individuals linked to transnational organized crime. The Minister acknowledged the challenges of managing 48 monitored border crossings, of which only 12 currently possess biometric systems. To combat the issue of deported individuals re-entering through unapproved routes, the government has procured drones and anti-ballistic cabins while enhancing surveillance technology. These measures are being balanced with Ghana’s obligations under the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and the nation’s tradition of hospitality.

The briefing also highlighted a robust crackdown on the illicit drug trade, with the government freezing approximately GH¢6.9 million and $440,000 in cash, along with the seizure of 73 assets linked to trafficking and money laundering. Since January 2025, security agencies have arrested 217 individuals and seized over 8,500 kilograms of narcotics. While celebrating these successes, the Minister noted that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has yet to submit its final report regarding alleged assassination attempts on Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng. As the Ministry awaits these findings, the government remains focused on professionalizing the security services, though the Minister noted a recent challenge where several recruits were dropped from training after becoming pregnant following their initial medical screenings.