Insecurity Has No Saints: The Minority’s Hypocrisy and Selective Amnesia on Crime in Ghana

The Minority's recent critique of Ghana's security situation seems, at best, disingenuous, driven more by political manoeuvring than genuine concern. Their posture suggests a sense of omnipotence when it comes to national security, a claim that rings hollow when considering their own tenure in power. It's a blatant oversight, forgetting their own past actions.

The reality is, no government has ever entirely eradicated crime. Even nations with sophisticated security apparatuses, like the U.S. and the U.K., grapple with crime, violence, and terrorism, despite significant investments in security infrastructure. Ghana, by extension, cannot be held to a different standard.

Therefore, to insinuate that insecurity is a recent phenomenon is misleading. Crime wasn't born with the current administration, nor did it vanish during the Minority's time in office.

How easily have Ghanaians forgotten the horrifying kidnapping and murder of the Takoradi girls? That tragedy, which unfolded under their watch, exposed significant flaws within our security framework. The handling of the case further tarnished the image of our security forces, compounding the anguish of the parents. This experience should have instilled caution, humility, and honesty, not provided fodder for political gain. The attempt by the NPP to portray itself as the guardian of a secure Ghana is simply not credible.

Ghana's security apparatus suffers from inherent weaknesses, compounded by the detrimental effects of political interference in recruitment. The patronage system, embraced by both major parties, has undermined standards and eroded professionalism.

Numerous individuals appointed through this system lack the necessary skills. Some lack the requisite qualifications; others fail to meet basic physical and mental criteria, and many struggle with discipline. Empowered by their political connections, some recruits disregard protocols, even during training. It's both alarming and dangerous when trainees feel emboldened to share training images with their political backers, lodging complaints. How can such recruits be expected to uphold law and order if they demonstrate a disregard for authority?

Furthermore, the background checks designed to weed out unsuitable candidates have been weakened, opening the door for criminals to infiltrate our security services. It's no longer surprising to encounter security officers with criminal ties. Such individuals erode public trust and provide criminals with inside information.

Both the NDC and the NPP share responsibility for this situation. Both parties have exploited the system to reward their supporters, friends, and families, undermining national security. As standards decline and political expediency takes precedence over professionalism, Ghana finds itself increasingly vulnerable.

Consequently, the Minority's attempts to dominate the narrative on insecurity are both dishonest and irresponsible. One cannot contribute to the problem and then feign to offer a solution.

Ghanaians deserve truth, not deception. They deserve progress, not perpetual complaints. And they deserve leaders who accept accountability for their failures, rather than exploiting them for political advantage.

The Minority is hardly in a position to lecture the nation on how to tackle insecurity, given their own track record of failure.