Ghanaian officials urge local executives to strengthen security coordination

Ghanaian security officials are calling on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to take proactive responsibility for local security and improve coordination with intelligence agencies.

Speaking at a training workshop in Kumasi regarding the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2026 (Act 1168), Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka warned that local authorities must identify threats before they escalate into national crises. He emphasized that MMDCEs are strategically positioned to detect early warning signs of issues such as illegal mining, land disputes, and criminal activities. Muntaka urged local leaders to establish closer working relationships with the police, fire service, and intelligence agencies.

Major General (Rtd.) William Ayamdo, Deputy National Security Coordinator in charge of Operations, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of information sharing. He noted that regional and local authorities are often the first to see rising tensions and that combining data from the police, armed forces, and local executives is essential for an accurate assessment of potential threats. Ayamdo urged Regional Security Councils (REGSECs) to function as prevention structures rather than merely responding to incidents after they occur.