GRi in Parliament Ghana 06 - 10 - 2000

Private security agencies are monitored - Okaija

Private security agencies are monitored - Okaija

Accra (Greater Accra) 06 October 2000

Nii Okaija Adamafio, Minister of the Interior, on Thursday said prospective employees of private security agencies undergo stringent security scrutiny and subjected to periodic checks during employment.

Some members of Parliament had raised doubts about the professionalism of some of the private security agencies, particularly in the area of crime prevention and detection.

The minister said apart from the fact that the Police have wider discretionary powers to check the operation of the agencies, clients and the general public may also alert the appropriate authorities about misconduct.

He said through the collaboration of the ministry with the Association of Private Security Organisations of Ghana (APSOG), progress had been made in trying to set up minimum standards that must be met by all companies.

"These include basic security training for guards, possession of communication equipment and vehicles fitted with gadgets."

Nii Okaija said his ministry was awaiting a report of a committee set up to review the existing laws on the operational capabilities of the companies.

There are 76 private security companies in the country out of which 52 are currently in operation.

Later in the day, a loan agreement for an amount of DM 48.75 million between Ghana, together with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, and Rohde and Schwartz Company to finance the modernisation and expansion of GBC Television and FM Radio network using satellite distribution was laid before the house.

GRi…/