Although the Ministry of the Interior has registered about 300 private security firms throughout the country only 40 belong to the Association of Private Security Organisations of Ghana (APSOG). And the reluctance of the huge majority of registered private security firms to join the association because they think it is not obligatory is a major source of worry to the executives who are asking their colleagues to fall in line.
"There is the need to be a form of control especially as it is with security," Captain (rtd) Anthony Acquah, Secretary of APSOG, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview on Friday.
He said although the constitution stipulates freedom of association, the reluctance of some of the security firms to register with the main body is dangerous to national security since security matters are delicate and need some form of rules to conform to those of the state.
"The fact that most of these bodies are not in the association makes it difficult for the police as the main constitutional organ to communicate with them and also monitor their activities."
He was commenting on observations by members of the public about anti-social behaviours of some members of private security firms and complaints by employees of such organisations of poor remuneration.
Some members of the public have complained about harassment by some of the personnel, abuse of power, involvement in criminal activities and dangerous driving.
The National Security Council is to review licenses of private security organisations to flush out those whose operations pose a security risk to the state.
It has set up a committee to probe the activities and modalities for the establishment of these firms and its report is expected to be presented to the Minister of the Interior at the end of this month.
Investigations by the GNA have shown that while some of the security firms are operating within certain laid down procedures of the police, others are blatantly involved in a lot of illegalities.
National Security Council sources mentioned as an example a staff of Brent Kruger who led an armed robbery attack, but the company managed to assist the police to effect his arrest.
According to the source even though these firms are to augment the work of police in the maintenance of law and order, some of their personnel have taken the law into their own hands to the detriment of the public.
Dr Kofi Kesse Manfo, Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, told the GNA that it was unlawful for private security firms to try to play police in any form.
He said recent reports on their use of sirens in their activities was illegal since the law remains unambiguous as to the institutions privileged to the use of sirens.
"It is only the presidency and senior members of government, the Police, recognised fire brigades and hospitals that are allowed under the law to use sirens," he said.
Dr Manfo said any other usage, such as conveying a sick person to hospital, might be considered discretional.
On harassment of civilians, Dr Manfo warned that the Police Administration would deal drastically with any such offender, adding, "even the police have no right to punish people except upon a conviction from the court."
Dr Manfo advised the security firms to seek clearance from the police about records of people they want to recruit.
"It is important that these people are positively vetted since there is the tendency to employ potential criminals," he said.
