The Minority in Parliament has criticised the recent joint show of force by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the Ghana Police Service, describing it as a misplaced priority and an inefficient use of public resources.
The criticism follows a public display of military and police equipment in Accra on Thursday, December 11, 2025, where armoured vehicles, weapons, and tactical units were paraded. The security agencies said the exercise was meant to demonstrate their preparedness to maintain law and order before, during, and after the Christmas festivities.
Minority Questions the Choice of Location
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, December 17, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, argued that Accra is not where such a show of force is most needed.
According to him, areas facing persistent security threats—such as Bawku, Gbinyiri, and illegal mining (galamsey) zones—would have been more appropriate locations for the exercise.
“If you want to demonstrate force by marshalling armoured vehicles, personnel, and weapons, Accra is not the place,” he said.
“It was misplaced and inappropriate, and it was done without consulting Parliament and the Defence and Interior Committee.”
Call for Focus on Real Security Threats
Rev. Fordjour stressed that communities affected by armed conflict and illegal mining are in greater need of visible state presence and reassurance.
He argued that deploying security resources to these flashpoints would:
Send a stronger message to illegal miners
Deter violent groups in conflict-prone areas
Reassure residents that the state is serious about restoring peace and order
“If the intention is to show force, then go to the galamsey sites,” he added. “That is where the real challenge is.”
Parliamentary Oversight Concerns
Beyond the choice of location, the Minority also raised concerns about lack of consultation with Parliament, particularly the Defence and Interior Committee, which is mandated to provide oversight on national security matters.
Rev. Fordjour warned that allowing the Executive to make such decisions without parliamentary engagement could set a worrying precedent.
“The Executive should not be allowed to take such ill-considered decisions,” he said, insisting that security operations must be strategic, purposeful, and accountable.
The Broader Debate
The comments have reopened debate about how Ghana deploys its limited security resources, especially at a time when the country is grappling with:
Illegal mining and environmental degradation
Long-running conflicts in parts of the north
Public concerns about safety in affected communities
Security analysts say while public displays can boost confidence, targeted deployments in high-risk areas are more effective in addressing real threats.
