President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned 40 advanced armoured vehicles to the Ghana Police Service to strengthen response capabilities in high-risk environments and dangerous operations.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Police Headquarters on Thursday, President John Dramani Mahama described the event as “renewing our covenant with the people of Ghana that this nation will protect its citizens, that peace will be defended, and that Ghana will remain secure, stable, and just.”
The fleet comprises 15 armoured pickups, 5 Cobra 4 special armoured vehicles, and 20 Cobra 3 special armoured vehicles designed to enhance officer protection during dangerous operations and reinforce patrols in rugged terrain and high-crime zones.
The President announced that more equipment will arrive by month-end, including two tow trucks to recover immobilized vehicles, 10 Corvette operational vehicles, and normal pickups for every police district across the country.
President Mahama also revealed plans to establish a police detachment trained in drone operations for urban surveillance and intelligence gathering.
“These 40 vehicles are just the first batch of what you are receiving,” the President told officers at the ceremony.
He emphasized that government will end the practice of sending police on dangerous assignments without proper safety equipment, saying the approach has cost lives.
“Many times, we send our police, who are the frontline protectors of the public, into assignments without giving them the appropriate safety equipment and instruments to be able to do their work. That is going to be a thing of the past,” President Mahama stated.
The President said many officers have died in the line of duty simply because they were not properly equipped for their assignments, vowing that government will ensure adequate protection going forward.
“We will give you the right instruments so that as you do your duty, you also are safe and are able to come back to your families,” he told the officers.
Mahama explained that the vehicles are operational tools designed to strengthen police response in high-risk environments, improve convoy and crowd control capabilities, and give officers operational advantage when confronting violent criminals.
The President praised the Ghana Police Service for recent successes, commending the IGP, Police Management Board, and rank-and-file officers for making highways safer by dealing with highway robbers.
“People who rob banks, attack people’s residences, you have chalked many victories in bringing them to justice,” Mahama said, also praising the CID for solving previously unsolved murders through good police intelligence.
He issued a stern warning to criminals, declaring that Ghana “will not surrender a single street, a community, or any public space to criminals today, tomorrow, or forever.”
“To those who insist on disturbing the peace of our nation, whether through armed robbery, organized crime, illegal arms trafficking, or gang activity, our message is simple. The Ghanaian state is ready. The Ghana Police Service is ready,” the President stated.
Mahama told officers the expensive equipment must be used judiciously and according to rules, instructing them to always wear seat belts while driving the vehicles for their own protection.
“Use them professionally, lawfully, and ethically, and let your conduct reflect the honor of your uniform and the trust the people of Ghana place in you,” he said.
The President explained that the vehicles will be strategically deployed nationwide based on intelligence and risk assessments, supported by upgraded communications equipment, faster response mechanisms, and coordinated intelligence sharing across security agencies.
He linked security to broader development goals, saying peace is built through investment, institutional strengthening, professionalism, and vigilance.
“As we advance the 24-hour economy, as we expand trade and investment, and as we pursue innovation, we recognize that without strong security, development cannot thrive and societies cannot progress,” he stated.
The President saluted officers who patrol streets at night, rush toward danger, and stand guard while citizens sleep, assuring their families that government is committed to improving officer safety and reducing operational risks.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
