The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has directed the Ghana Police Service to intensify the fight against vigilantism and move swiftly to dismantle emerging groups being formed by individuals, political parties, traditional authorities and other organisations for self-protection.

He warned that the growing practice posed a threat to Ghana’s peace and security, particularly if such groups were allowed to operate outside the authority of the state.

Mr Muntaka gave the directive in Accra when he opened a regional commanders’ conference at the Ghana Police Headquarters, where he urged senior police officers to strengthen efforts to detect and deal with activities capable of undermining public order.

He said the formation of private forces for the protection of individuals or groups was prohibited under the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), and should not be allowed to take root.

“We observe with concern a new trend of chiefs, political parties, individuals, and some organisations building forces for self-protection. The Vigilantism and Related Offences Act 2019 Act 999 is clear on this matter.

“These are illegal and should not be tolerated. There should be no forces for protection of any person or group except those authorised by the state. I therefore charge you and your commanders to nip this in the bud and bring perpetrators to book,” he said.

The Interior Minister said the Ghana Police Service had a critical responsibility to ensure that no parallel security structures emerged to challenge the authority of the state.

He, therefore, urged regional commanders to remain alert to signs of vigilantism and take decisive action against persons or organisations seeking to establish unauthorised security forces.

The directive comes amid concerns over the formation of groups ostensibly intended to provide security or protection for particular individuals, political interests or communities.

Mr Muntaka stressed that the state must remain the sole authority responsible for the legitimate use of force and the protection of citizens.

The Minister also expressed concern about the increasing circulation on social media of videos and other materials showing recruits undergoing training at security service institutions.

He directed commanders of the various security services to immediately strengthen controls to prevent the unauthorised recording and dissemination of such material.

“I am equally concerned about the growing number of officers and trainers in our training schools, allowing videos and other content of recruits undergoing training to be recorded and shared on social media. This practice must stop.

“I therefore direct all service commanders to ensure that appropriate controls are put in place to prevent the unauthorised recording, publication and circulation of images or videos of recruits in training,” he stated.

He said protecting information relating to the training of security personnel was important to maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the country's security institutions.

The directive places greater responsibility on commanders and trainers to ensure that security training facilities are not used as sources of unauthorised social media content.

Mr Muntaka's two-pronged directive — against vigilantism and the unauthorised sharing of security training content — underscores the government's emphasis on strengthening state control over security operations and protecting the professionalism of Ghana's security services.