Business News of Wednesday, 24 September 2008

Source: GNA

Committee set up to restructure private security companies

Accra, Sept. 24, GNA - The Ministry of the Interior has set up a three-member committee to streamline the operations of the private security companies following complaints by a cross-section of the public as well as the Ministry of National Security. The committee, which would be chaired by Brigadier-General Samuel Baafi (Rtd), is to study the situation and come out with appropriate recommendations to enable the Ministry to streamline the operations of private security companies.

The committee has up to six weeks to submit its report to the Ministry.

Among its terms of the terms of reference are to ascertain whether all the private security companies are registered under L.I. 1571 Police Service (Private Security Organisation) Regulations 1992; determine the actual number of private security companies officially registered to operate in Ghana; and determine the companies that have not been registered but are operating. The rest are to examine the mode of recruitment, ownership, modus operandi, and equipment used by these companies and to recommend appropriate measures to strengthen, control, monitor, evaluate and regulate their activities.

It asked all private security companies to fully cooperate with the committee in their own interest. It also asked the general public to submit any information or memorandum which may enhance the committee's work to Mr Romeo Adu-Tutu on telephone number (021) 662003 or (021) 664425. The committee will sit at the conference room of the Ministry of the Interior.