Ghana Interior Ministry: Stricter ABV Permits Enforcement

• The Ghana Police Service has intensified enforcement of Armoured Bullion Vehicle (ABV) guidelines, covering importation, repurposing, use, and decommissioning.
• A recent workshop in Accra educated private security firms, CIT operators, retrofitting companies, and importers on the guidelines, which were officially rolled out in December 2025.
• Deputy Minister for the Interior, Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, warned that operating without requisite ABV retrofitting permits Ghana or approval could lead to license revocation.
• The Police Service has developed a new SOP for ABVs, complementing the Bank of Ghana's SOP, and has already withdrawn all soft-skinned cash-in-transit vehicles.
• Compliance is emphasized as a critical responsibility for national security, requiring collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure safe and compliant ABV operations.

Deputy Minister for the Interior, Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, issued a stern warning that any entity, whether a vehicle retrofitting company or an individual, found converting vehicles into ABVs without the necessary permits and explicit approval from the Minister for the Interior would face severe legal repercussions.

The Ghana Police Service has significantly stepped up its efforts to ensure rigorous adherence to established guidelines governing Armoured Bullion Vehicles (ABVs) across the nation. This intensified focus encompasses all stages of an ABV's lifecycle, from its initial importation and any subsequent repurposing to its operational use and eventual decommissioning. The primary objective behind these measures is to bolster the security of cash-in-transit (CIT) operations, thereby safeguarding personnel, valuable assets, and the general public.

As part of this initiative, a comprehensive one-day sensitisation workshop was recently conducted in Accra. This event brought together key stakeholders, including private security organizations, cash-in-transit operators, companies specializing in vehicle retrofitting, and importers. Organized collaboratively by the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry for the Interior, alongside other relevant bodies, the workshop aimed to deepen understanding of the regulatory framework and foster greater compliance within the sector.

The stringent guidelines for Ghana armoured bullion vehicle operations, officially introduced in December 2025, delineate precise requirements across several critical areas. These include the stipulations for ABV importation and certification, operational protocols and maintenance standards, inspection and compliance procedures, qualifications for personnel, retrofitting and modification specifications, and the safe decommissioning of these specialized vehicles. This comprehensive framework is designed to address vulnerabilities that became apparent during a series of armed attacks on cash-in-transit operations between 2021 and 2023, which tragically resulted in the deaths of three police officers and highlighted the risks associated with using soft-skinned vehicles for such tasks.

Deputy Minister for the Interior, Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, issued a stern warning that any entity, whether a vehicle retrofitting company or an individual, found converting vehicles into ABVs without the necessary permits and explicit approval from the Minister for the Interior would face severe legal repercussions. He emphasized that sanctions could include the revocation of operating licenses, underscoring the government's resolve that no party would be permitted to bypass regulatory requirements or compromise the security standards set for ABVs. The Ghana Police Service has already intensified its enforcement and monitoring of ABVs, leading to the complete withdrawal of all soft-skinned cash-in-transit vehicles from operations nationwide.

To further solidify the operational framework, the Ghana Police Service has developed its own standard operating procedure (SOP) specifically tailored to the ABV guidelines. This new SOP is designed to function in conjunction with the existing Bank of Ghana's SOP, creating a robust and unified operational structure for the effective regulation and use of armoured bullion vehicles. Commissioner of Police (COP) Daniel Efriyie, Director-General of Private Security Organisations, speaking on behalf of Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno, urged regional, divisional, and district commanders to ensure professional monitoring of ABV operations and to verify the legitimacy and certification of all vehicles encountered.

Mr. Terlabi stressed that compliance with these Ghana cash-in-transit vehicle regulations should be viewed not merely as an administrative or regulatory obligation, but as a fundamental responsibility. This responsibility extends to saving lives, protecting property, maintaining public confidence, and ultimately strengthening national security. He called for enhanced collaboration among the Ministry of the Interior, the Ghana Police Service, the Bank of Ghana, private security organizations, CIT operators, importers, and retrofitting companies. This collective effort is deemed essential to guarantee that all ABVs deployed in Ghana are safe, fit for their intended purpose, and fully compliant with all prescribed standards.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising private security firms, cash-in-transit operators, retrofitting companies, and importers in Ghana must immediately review their clients' compliance with the Ministry of Interior's guidelines for Armoured Bullion Vehicles, especially regarding permits for importation, repurposing, and operation, to avoid licence revocation and other sanctions. This necessitates updating internal standard operating procedures and ensuring all ABVs meet prescribed standards.

Source: Original reporting via Ghana News Agency