Ghana Would Need Over 100,000 New Security Officers if Budget Allowed – Interior Minister

Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak says Ghana would require more than 100,000 additional personnel across its security services to meet global standards, but current budget constraints make such recruitment impossible.

Speaking on the Joy FM Super Morning Show on Monday, November 17, the Minister said the ideal staffing estimates are based on international benchmarks compared to Ghana’s existing manpower levels.

He broke down the numbers as follows:

• Ghana Police Service: 33,000 needed
• Ghana Immigration Service: 12,000 needed
• Ghana National Fire Service: 22,000 needed
• Ghana Prisons Service: 12,000 needed

He noted that cumulatively, Ghana would need over 100,000 new officers to reach international parity.

However, Muntaka admitted that it would be “unreasonable” to expect the Finance Ministry to allocate such a large recruitment budget at once.

“Obviously, I would be the most reasonable person to tell the Finance Minister to make room for over 100,000 for the Interior Ministry alone,” he said.

The Minister revealed that the Ministry of Finance has not yet confirmed how many new officers the 2026 Budget can support. Discussions are still underway.

“Currently, the Minister of Finance tells us in Cabinet, together with the President, that we should allow him to work on this budget and get back to tell us exactly how many numbers we can accommodate,” he noted.

He added that while the Interior Ministry has submitted its ideal staffing requirements, the final recruitment decision rests on the fiscal space available.