By Emmanuella Akoto Owusu
President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned a new forensic laboratory, renovated interrogation rooms and 111 vehicles for the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), as government moves to strengthen national security and align the Bureau’s mandate with the broader national security framework.
The commissioning also covered upgraded facilities to support intelligence gathering and investigations across the country.
President Mahama said security in Ghana is built on intelligence and investigations. Describing BNI officers as unseen heroes, the President noted that, while the public often sees the Police Service, the military and Immigration, it is the likes of BNI officers who do the footwork behind the scenes.
“Behind the scenes, those who do a lot of the footwork in terms of investigating issues, in terms of keeping us safe, gathering intelligence, are the unsung heroes of the Bureau of National Investigations,” adding that “I want to recognize the work that you do and to assure you that government takes the bureau very seriously.” the President said.
The new fleet comprises 100 brand new Mitsubishi pickup trucks, six Toyota Land Cruiser LX and five Toyota Land Cruiser Prado vehicles.
President Mahama said a lack of vehicles had been one of the major things hampering the Bureau’s work. He noted that, he had seen some vehicles belonging to the bureau, which are “very tattered and old” struggling to travel to places like Bawku to gather intelligence.
Pointing to the public perception that security agencies cannot keep vehicles for long, President John Dramani Mahama cautioned officers and drivers of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) against careless handling of the 111 vehicles handed over to the Bureau, saying they must be maintained to last.
“These vehicles are expensive and we must handle them with care and we must maintain them. If we maintain these vehicles properly, minimum eight years to 10 years, we will still have them in good condition. And so, the drivers and the transport section, I charge you to make sure that we get the best mileage out of these vehicles.” President Mahama said.
He disclosed that government will procure more vehicles for the security agencies in 2027, with the Bureau getting additional units. He also said that by next year, at least nine of the Bureau’s regional offices “should be in good condition.”
President Mahama admonished officers of the Bureau to treat people brought in for questioning at the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) with dignity as he announced the renovation of the Bureau’s interrogation rooms.
“I pray that Ghanaians don’t have to come to the interrogation rooms. However when there is a need that they come, when they do come, we must make sure they are comfortable and that their dignity is protected.” he said.
The President also said a new forensic laboratory at the Bureau will help check cybercrime and other sophisticated digital crimes being committed today.
