Accra, May 7, GNA - The Ministry of Interior on Wednesday warned unlicensed private security organisations to obtain licence or risk being smoked out of business.

Nana Obiri Boahene, Minister of State of the Ministry of the Interior, who gave the warning in Accra said although government appreciated the roles of private security companies in preventing crime, it was not happy with those not operating within the confines of the law.

Speaking at a public lecture organized by the Association of Private Security Organisation of Ghana (APSOG), the Minister said most of the companies refused to obtain or renew their licence because they could not present clearance on Value Added Tax (VAT), Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions and other tax obligations.

The lecture which formed part of events to mark APSOG's 10th Anniversary provided a platform to discuss issues on the role of private security service as well as Community Policing and Neighbourhood Watch Committees in maintaining serenity.

Nana Boahene pointed out that private security companies were not allowed to operate unless they had finished all procedures and obtained their licence.

"All private security providers are supposed to renew their license in January and those who have refused to do so will face the full rigours of the law," the Minister added. Mr Edwin Barnes, former Chief Director of the Ministry, called for a review of the legislative instrument governing their operations and the establishment of a regulatory authority.

In a paper presented at the lecture, he said the authority should be tasked to ensure that private security providers acted with professionalism and upheld the public interest at all times. Mr Barnes also stressed the need to design appropriate codes of conduct, ethical codes and syllabus to provide effective training for the personnel and urged private security personnel to work together with the Police to maintain peace and order.

ASP Marian Osei-Adu, Staff Officer to the Director of Community Police Unit of the Ghana Police Service, called for special training for the guards in crime scene management and presentation of evidence in court.

She bemoaned the use of uniforms similar to those of the Police by some private security personnel.