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Government urged to regulate operations of private
security companies
Accra, April 9, Ghanadot/GNA- The
Association of Private Security Organization of Ghana (APSOG)
have called for the review of the legislative instrument
governing the industry to regulate the increasing
proliferation of the private security companies.
They contend that a strict regulation of the industry, which
is booming, would debar people with suspicious intent,
particularly foreigners who have cashed in on the lack of a
regulatory body, to set up security companies that could
become a security threat to the country.
Nana Adu Agyemang the IV, Chairman of APSOG in an
interaction with journalists in Accra asked why the
authorities were allowing foreigners, who had doubtful
backgrounds and intents to form private security companies
in the country, when the law did not permit it.
“The participation of foreigners in private security in the
country should be reviewed. Our locally-bred security
companies are up to the task. And we need to sustain our
dignity as Ghanaians.
“Even as the doors of Ghana are open for investment,
foreigners should not be allowed to control areas that deal
with security. We should not compromise our national
security.
“In view of the oil boom, should we allow just anyone with
money to come in and create security companies”, he asked
“The security of this nation is important and foreigners
should not be left to determine this for us”, he said.
Nana Agyemang stressed that government, as a matter of
urgency, consider the number of security companies in the
country, set up a supervisory board to oversee and regulate
the industry to make it relevant to current situation.
“The private security industry should attract the attention
of government because it is big and booming”.
He proposed that government should consider the industry
amongst the Small and Medium Enterprises and finance it in
view of the rate of employment the sector generates.
Nana Agyemang called for closer collaboration between the
APSOG and state security agencies companies to bolster the
peace and security in the country.
“We are not there to get in the way of the security agencies
but to complement what they are doing.
“And we are prepared to join forces with the police, help
with logistics and ready to assist during the December
elections”, he said.
There are about 350 private security companies in the
country; majority with faceless owners and no fixed
addresses, but only 40 are registered with the association.
GNA
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