logo
Retooling our security services: A commitment to public safety

Retooling our security services: A commitment to public safety

Zawya10 hours ago

President John Dramani Mahama has announced a significant investment of 1 billion Ghana cedis towards retooling our vital security services. This commitment underscores his dedication to ensuring the safety and security of all Ghanaians.
Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS): Recognising the urgent need for updated equipment, new fire tenders will be acquired to replace ageing and broken-down vehicles, some nearly a decade old. 'We understand the frustrations of our citizens when the Fire Service arrives late, and this initiative aims to equip them to respond more effectively to emergencies', the president noted.
Ghana Police Service: To better combat armed robbery, the Police Service will receive armoured vehicles to ensure the safety of officers during patrols. 'We must provide our brave officers with the necessary tools to confront criminals effectively', he added.
Immigration&Prisons Services: Acknowledging the mobility challenges faced by the Immigration and Prisons Services, new vehicles will be allocated to improve their operational capacity and enhance public safety.
President Mahama also acknowledged security personnel's difficult working conditions and called for public understanding and support as his government works to build a safer country. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an 'as is' and 'as available' basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

President Ruto, Samaila Zubairu and Africa's Top Chief Executive Officer's (CEO) to Headline The Africa Debate in London
President Ruto, Samaila Zubairu and Africa's Top Chief Executive Officer's (CEO) to Headline The Africa Debate in London

Zawya

timean hour ago

  • Zawya

President Ruto, Samaila Zubairu and Africa's Top Chief Executive Officer's (CEO) to Headline The Africa Debate in London

Invest Africa ( is pleased to announce Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) as Headline Partner for the 11th edition of The Africa Debate, taking place on Wednesday, 2 July 2025 at the Guildhall, in the heart of the City of London. This year's theme — "Harnessing Natural Capital for Growth" — seeks to interrogate how Africa can transform the scale and structure of investment around its most enduring assets: from its critical minerals and fertile land to its human ingenuity and demographic dynamism. Now firmly established as the UK's premier forum for Africa-focused investment dialogue, The Africa Debate will convene over 700 senior decision-makers from across government, finance, and industry for a full day of high-level exchanges. Through keynote addresses, ministerial dialogues, and curated sector debates, the programme will explore how to turn extractive advantage into structural transformation — mobilising green industrialisation, digital infrastructure, intra-African trade, and new financial instruments to drive inclusive, climate-smart growth. This year's speaker line-up reflects the extraordinary breadth of voices shaping Africa's next chapter, from heads of state to the stewards of global capital. Highlights include: H.E. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia; Board Chair, TradeMark Africa; H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General, African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat; Benedict Oramah, President, Afreximbank; Samaila Zubairu, President&CEO, Africa Finance Corporation; Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director, African Department, International Monetary Fund; Solomon Quaynor, Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure&Industrialisation, African Development Bank; Strive Masiyiwa, Founder&Chair, Econet Wireless; Duncan Wanblad, CEO, Anglo American; Wale Tinubu, CEO, Oando Plc; Monique Gieskes, CEO, PHC; Marie-Chantal Kaninda, President, Glencore DRC; and more. The full programme is now available to view here ( with detailed sessions on value chain transformation, blended finance, regional infrastructure, and Africa's positioning in a multipolar global economy. Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, commented: 'Natural capital is only as valuable as the systems that refine, protect, and elevate it. At AFC, we believe that infrastructure is the bridge between Africa's resource richness and the continent's ability to rapidly industrialise and take its rightful place on the global stage. Our partnership with Invest Africa and The Africa Debate underscores the need for thoughtful, long-term capital — deployed strategically — to unlock the continent's full economic potential. We are proud to support a platform that challenges assumptions and catalyses bold, bankable solutions.' Chantelé Carrington, CEO of Invest Africa, added: 'Africa's path to prosperity must be built not on extraction, but on transformation. This year's theme compels us to ask harder questions about how we steward the continent's assets — human, natural, and institutional — in a world shaped by climate change, technological disruption, and shifting geopolitical priorities. With AFC's visionary leadership, we are honoured to convene a dialogue that is ambitious in scope, rigorous in thought, and focused on meaningful outcomes.' Confirmed Sponsors of The Africa Debate Include: Africa Finance Corporation (Headline Partner), Absa Group, Afreximbank, FirstBank UK Limited, Invest KZN, Standard Chartered, Standard Bank Group, Plantations et Huileries du Congo, Lagos Free Zone (Tolaram), Octopus Energy, ServiceNow, Stellar Developments, Spiro, Safaricom, Premier Invest, Remittances Hub, S-RM, DLA Piper, and London Stock Exchange Group. To register as a delegate for The Africa Debate, please visit: Places are limited and advance registration is essential. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa. For more information or media enquiries, please contact: Pippa van Breda Marketing&Communications Manager Invest Africa T: +44 2037 305 035 E: About The Africa Debate: The Africa Debate is London's premier investment forum dedicated to shaping the future of African trade, investment, and economic transformation. Now in its 11th year, the event serves as a critical platform for global businesses, investors, policymakers, and thought leaders to engage in high-level discussions on Africa's evolving role in the global economy. About Invest Africa: Invest Africa is a leading pan-African business platform that promotes trade and investment across the continent. With a 60-year heritage and a network of over 400 global members, Invest Africa provides trusted intelligence, strategic connections, and high-level convenings to support business success across African markets. About Africa Finance Corporation: Africa Finance Corporation is Africa's leading multilateral finance institution, focused on bridging the continent's infrastructure gap through innovative, commercially viable, and sustainable investments.

Qatar says security remains stable after US embassy asks citizens to 'shelter in place'
Qatar says security remains stable after US embassy asks citizens to 'shelter in place'

Khaleej Times

time3 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

Qatar says security remains stable after US embassy asks citizens to 'shelter in place'

Authorities in Qatar have affirmed that the security situation in the country remains stable and under control, following a series of precautionary advisories issued by some foreign embassies to their citizens. Advisor to Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Dr Majed Al Ansari, emphasised that these notices do not indicate the presence of any specific or credible threats within Qatar. The US Embassy in Qatar sent an email to American citizens on Monday recommending them to shelter in place until further notice. The embassy clarified that the message was issued 'out of an abundance of caution' and did not provide additional details. In response, the Qatari official reassured both citizens and residents that security services are closely monitoring the situation and are fully prepared to take any necessary measures to safeguard public safety. Al Ansari wrote on X: "These advisories do not necessarily reflect the existence of specific or credible threats. We would like to reassure the public that the security situation in the State remains stable. "The relevant authorities are closely monitoring the situation and remain fully prepared to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of citizens, residents and visitors. "The public will be kept informed of any developments that may warrant notification or action, and we stress the importance of obtaining information from official sources." He added that Qatar continues to exert intensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and to preserve regional security and stability through ongoing engagement with relevant stakeholders and regional and international partners.

As gold prices surge, West Africa mine operators launch drones to detect wildcat miners
As gold prices surge, West Africa mine operators launch drones to detect wildcat miners

Zawya

time5 hours ago

  • Zawya

As gold prices surge, West Africa mine operators launch drones to detect wildcat miners

TARKWA, Ghana - As the afternoon sun beats down on Gold Fields' sprawling Tarkwa gold mine in southwestern Ghana, three men launch a drone into the clear sky, its cameras scanning the lush 210-square-kilometer tract for intruders. The drone spotted something unusual, and within 20 minutes a 15-person team including armed police arrived on the scene. They discovered abandoned clothing, freshly dug trenches, and rudimentary equipment amid pools of mercury and cyanide-contaminated water. The equipment was left behind by so-called wildcat miners, who operate on the outskirts of many of the continent's official mining ventures - putting at risk their own health, the environment and the official mine operator's profits. The team confiscated seven diesel-powered water pumps and a "chanfan" processing unit used to extract gold from riverbeds. The high-tech cat-and-mouse game is playing out with increasing frequency as record gold prices, now sitting above $3,300 per ounce, draw more unofficial activity - intensifying sometimes deadly confrontations between corporate concessions and artisanal miners in West Africa, according to dozens of mining executives and industry experts interviewed by Reuters. "Because of the vegetation cover, if you don't have eyes in the air, you won't know something destructive is happening," explains Edwin Asare, Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine's head of protection services. "It's like you first get eyes in the sky to help you put boots on the ground.' Almost 20 illicit miners have been killed in confrontations at major mining operations across the region since late 2024, including at Newmont and AngloGold Ashanti's sites in Ghana and Guinea and Nordgold's Bissa Mine in Burkina Faso. There have been no reports of official mine staff injured. In some cases, clashes at corporate mines caused production halts of up to a month, prompting companies to press governments for more military protection. 'BOOTS ON THE GROUND' Sub-Saharan Africa's unofficial mining operations provide critical income for nearly 10 million people, according to a May United Nations report. In West Africa, three to five million people depend on unregulated mining, accounting for approximately 30% of its gold production, other industry data show, serving as economic lifelines in a region with few formal employment opportunities. Like 52-year old Famanson Keita in Senegal's gold-rich Kedougou region, many inhabitants grew up mining gold in their localities. With simple and traditional methods, they earned extra incomes to supplement those from farming until corporate miners arrived, relocating them from their communities and promising jobs and rapid development. "Those promises have not been fulfilled," said Keita. "Many of our young people are employed in low-level, uncontracted jobs with little pay and no stability. Small-scale farming alone cannot sustain our families." While local residents have long tried to eke out a living on the margins of corporate mines, much of the illicit activity, particularly in the region's forests and large bodies of water, is now conducted with sophisticated digging and dredging equipment and funding from local cartels and foreigners, including from China. ECONOMIC PRESSURES With rising central bank gold buying and broader geopolitical tensions potentially pushing gold to $5,000 an ounce, Sahel-focused security and mining analyst Ulf Laessing warned that more violent confrontations around mining operations could be expected in the coming months. "The more the gold price rises, the more conflicts we will see between industrial and informal miners," said Laessing, head of the Sahel program at Germany's Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Nine wildcat miners were shot dead in January at AGA's Obuasi mine in Ghana when they cut open the fenced 110-square kilometer concession to scavenge gold, according to a source in the company who asked not to be identified. At AGA's Siguiri Mine, northeast of Guinea, hundreds of wildcat miners invaded the concession in February, prompting military intervention, according to a source familiar with the mine's operations. At least three wildcat miners were shot by guards while others were injured at Newmont's Ahafo gold mining site in northwestern Ghana in January, police said. In Mali's gold-rich Kayes region, an excavator operator at an illegal mining site in Kenieba told Reuters that operations have expanded rapidly this year, with Chinese bosses deploying more equipment to new sites as gold prices climb. Reuters could not establish who such Chinese operators were, or whether they have any links to companies or official organizations. This year, Ghanaian authorities have been ransacking dozens of informal mining sites, arresting hundreds of locals and foreigners, particularly Chinese nationals, who operate unregulated gold operations in the country's vast forests, including protected areas and bodies of water. "Because of porous borders and weak regulations, the majority of their produce is smuggled," says Marc Ummel, researcher at Swissaid, "depriving the countries of the full benefits." Ghana lost more than 229 metric tons of largely artisanal gold to smuggling between 2019 and 2023, according to Swissaid, which analysed export data within the period. Adama Soro, president of the West African Federation of Chambers of Mines, said artisanal miners also compete with large-scale miners for ore, shortening mines' lives. "We're seeing artisanal miners digging up to 100 meters and impacting the ore body of the big miners, so we're losing money," he said. ARMED MILITARY PROTECTION Miners are resorting to unconventional methods and increased spending at the expense of investment and community projects, said the head of a mining company in Ghana heavily affected by wildcat miners. The mine spends approximately half a million dollars annually on measures, including drone surveillance to combat wildcat mining, but still experiences frequent attacks, the source said. Nordgold, Galiano Gold, B2Gold and Barrick Gold have all seen incursions recently. Ghana's major corporate miners have intensified their campaign for military protection at mining sites this year. Similar requests have been made in Burkina Faso and Mali, according to three mining executives and an industry analyst, who requested anonymity. "Ideally, we want military presence at all mining operations, but we understand the need to prioritize sites facing consistent attacks while implementing regular patrols at others," said Ahmed Dasana Nantogmah, chief operating officer of Ghana's Chamber of Mines. Industry leaders met government officials in mid-April to press their case, with discussions yielding "positive" results, said Nantogmah. Ghana's government did not respond to requests for comment. Ghanaian authorities want miners to cover deployment costs, estimated at 250,000 Ghana cedis ($18,116) per contingent daily of under 50 personnel, said two mining executives who were part of the negotiations. Ghana's mining sector regulator, the Minerals Commission, is taking a technological leap forward, establishing an AI-powered control room to analyze data from 28 drones deployed to illegal mining hotspots. The system includes trackers on the excavators and a control system that can remotely disable excavators operating outside authorized boundaries. "This is a fight we can win with technology if we allow full deployment," says Sylvester Akpah, consultant for Ghana's mining sector regulator's drone surveillance and AI-powered project.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store