Over-centralization, politics threaten Ghana’s security – Analyst

Security analyst Peter Bismark has sounded an alarm over what he calls deep-rooted flaws within Ghana’s national security framework. He mentioned that excessive centralization, inadequate resources, and political interference are compromising the nation’s ability to prevent and respond effectively to threats.

Speaking on the Happy FM Morning Show with host Sefah-Danquah, Bismark noted that Ghana’s security architecture, once among the best in West Africa, is now plagued by systemic weaknesses. “We have centralised the authority of the entire national security in the country,” he observed. “The Ministry of National Security holds too much power, and decisions are concentrated in a few institutions. This overcentralisation weakens the overall system.”

He cited recent operational failures as evidence of the problem, pointing to an inability to quickly deploy helicopters to locate and secure the site of a recent incident. “We couldn’t even get a helicopter to pinpoint the scene, or an extra one from the ministry to secure the area for investigations,” he said.

Mr. Bismark explained that regional and district security councils lack the independence to act swiftly, as they must await instructions from Accra before responding. “This delay slows early warning responses, especially in rural incidents. We are doing more reactionary national security than preventive national security, and many of these situations could have been avoided if measures were in place,” he argued.

He also criticised the politicisation of top security appointments, lamenting that leadership positions in intelligence, the police, and the military are often filled by presidential appointees without independent vetting. “There should be parliamentary approval to ensure neutrality and proper oversight. We are choosing politicians over national security,” he stressed.

According to the analyst, Ghana undervalues the strategic importance of security, often placing it behind other national priorities. “National security is delicate and expensive. The main function of any government is security — the economy and environmental issues come after,” he said.

He called for urgent reforms to decentralise decision-making, strengthen resource allocation, and depoliticise appointments. He said that without these changes, Ghana risks eroding the effectiveness of its once highly regarded security system.