Foreigners mustn’t own security firms

An ex-serviceman, Major (rtd) Nii Carl Coleman has called for a review of Ghana’s security codes in order to prevent the ownership of private security firms by foreigners.

According to him, the practice has the capacity of putting the security of the nation in danger.

Speaking on Starr 103.5FM’s ‘Thought Leadership Summit' on security, titled ‘Securing Ghana 2016: Fending off threats and safeguarding the peace,’ the retired soldier said the security of a nation is crucial to its existence; therefore, it is inappropriate for it to be left in the hands of foreigners who may have no direct allegiance to the state.

“Foreigners must not be allowed to operate private security firms. It is not appropriate, and in most countries you don’t have such opportunities as a foreigner, but here in Ghana it is becoming a norm, and nobody appears to see anything wrong with it,” he bemoaned.

In response, Deputy Interior Minister James Agalga, who was also a guest at the summit, said the matter has come to the attention of government and is being dealt with.

“We have started investigating the involvement of foreigners in private security firms”.

Ghana’s current security laws do not bar the ownership of private security firms by foreigners.

Other thematic areas including the state of Ghana’s preparedness to respond to emerging national and sub-regional security threats in a globalised world, understanding government’s position, media, and religious leaders: what role can they play in emerging security environment, and is the security ready for emerging threats were also discussed at the summit.