Ghana Police: Intensifies Vigilantism Act 999 Enforcement

• Minister for the Interior Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak directed the Ghana Police Service to rigorously enforce the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999) against illegal self-protection groups.
• The directive targets unauthorized forces established by chiefs, political parties, individuals, and organizations, emphasizing that only state-authorized entities can form security groups.
• Mr. Mubarak also ordered a halt to the unauthorized recording and circulation of videos from police training schools, citing concerns for trainee privacy, dignity, and security.
• Government plans include deploying TRAFITECH for automated road traffic enforcement and over 700 Digital Enrolment Stations for biometric identification nationwide by the end of 2026.
• Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno called for visible, professional policing focused on crime prevention and stressed the importance of strong leadership and inter-agency cooperation.

The directive underscores a firm commitment to the Ghana Police Vigilantism Act 999 enforcement, aiming to dismantle unauthorized security groups and prosecute offenders.

Ghana's Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has issued a direct order to the Ghana Police Service, mandating a rigorous crackdown on the proliferation of unauthorized self-protection groups across the nation. This directive, delivered during the Police Regional Commanders Conference held in Accra, specifically targets entities such as chiefs, political parties, private individuals, and various organizations that have established their own security forces. The Minister emphasized that no entity or person possesses the authority to create a self-protection force without explicit state authorization, deeming such practices both illegal and unacceptable.

Central to this directive is the intensified Ghana Police Vigilantism Act 999 enforcement. Mr. Mubarak urged police commanders to actively implement the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), ensuring that all individuals found in violation of its provisions are brought to justice. This move signals a heightened commitment to upholding Ghana's security law compliance and dismantling structures that operate outside the established legal framework for public safety. The Minister expressed significant concern over the increasing trend of groups forming private security apparatuses, highlighting the imperative for the state to maintain its sole prerogative over security provision.

Beyond the immediate focus on Ghana self-protection forces crackdown, Minister Mubarak also addressed internal police protocols, issuing a separate directive concerning the unauthorized recording and dissemination of content from police training schools. He instructed Service commanders to prevent the creation and circulation of videos or other materials depicting recruits undergoing training. The Minister articulated that such unauthorized recordings compromise the privacy, dignity, and security of trainees, simultaneously risking the erosion of the Police Service's public image and professional standards.

Mr. Mubarak stressed that police training institutions are foundational pillars of discipline, professionalism, and public service. He urged commanders to ensure that all officers and trainers fully comprehend the gravity of this directive and implement robust controls to prevent any further breaches. This measure aims to safeguard the integrity of police training environments and protect the personal information of those dedicating themselves to law enforcement.

In a forward-looking announcement, the Minister for the Interior outlined the government's strategic plans to integrate advanced technology into policing operations, aiming to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Among the key initiatives is the introduction of TRAFITECH, an automated system specifically designed for the enforcement of road traffic laws. This system is projected to be fully operational across the country by the close of 2026.

Furthermore, the government intends to deploy over 700 Digital Enrolment Stations nationwide as part of the National Criminal Automated Biometric Identification System. These stations are also expected to be in place by the end of 2026, marking a significant step towards modernizing identification and criminal justice processes. Mr. Mubarak assured the Police Service of continued government support and resource allocation to facilitate these technological advancements.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno also addressed the conference, acknowledging that the gathering occurred at a critical juncture when the Ghanaian populace demands a police service that is visible, professional, competent, just, and trusted within its communities. The IGP emphasized a paradigm shift for the Police, advocating for a proactive approach focused on crime prevention rather than merely reacting to incidents, all while upholding justice and fostering public confidence.

Mr. Yohuno underscored the Police's integral role within the broader national security architecture, highlighting the necessity of effective collaboration with other security agencies. He noted that the Police Administration, in conjunction with the National Security Council, had arranged for an expert to brief participants on the amended Security and Intelligence Act, 2026 (Act 1168), as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen inter-agency cooperation. Both the Minister and the IGP stressed that the transformation of the Police Service hinges not on mere pronouncements or directives from Accra, but on the consistent leadership, high standards, and accountability demonstrated by commanders in their daily duties, with Ghanaians watching hopefully for a police force they can truly be proud of.

This directive signals an imminent and intensified enforcement of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999) by the Ghana Police. Lawyers should advise clients, particularly political parties, organisations, and individuals involved in or contemplating forming self-protection groups, of the increased legal risk and potential for prosecution under this Act.

Source: Original reporting via Ghanaian Times