Muntaka Mubarak to enforce body cameras to tackle police extortion and harassment

The Interior Minister-designate, Mr Muntaka Mubarak, has announced plans to make the use of body cameras mandatory for police officers as part of measures to curb harassment, extortion, and other forms of misconduct within the security services.

Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, January 24, 2025, Mr Muntaka responded to concerns raised by Dominic Nitiwul, Member of Parliament for Bimbilla and former Defence Minister.

Mr Nitiwul had questioned how the nominee intended to address cases of police extortion, harassment of motorists, and abuse of power, which continue to affect the public.

Mr Muntaka disclosed that the Ghana Police Service has already introduced 800 body cameras into its operations, with an additional 30,800 procured and ready for deployment. He noted that the use of these devices would play a pivotal role in promoting transparency and accountability.

“We will ensure that every police officer stepping out on duty is equipped with a body camera,” Mr Muntaka stated. “This will not only capture instances of misconduct, such as extortion or brutality but also provide evidence of any threats or attacks on officers.”

The nominee acknowledged ongoing public frustration with unprofessional conduct by some officers. He shared a personal experience involving police intervention in a land dispute, highlighting instances where officers from the same station responded to opposing parties and acted without transparency.

Mr Muntaka stressed the need for a cultural shift within the police service, urging officers to uphold professionalism and ethical standards.

He noted that while change would take time, these measures would significantly reduce misconduct.

Mr Muntaka assured the committee of his determination to restore public confidence in the police. “By implementing these reforms, including the use of body cameras, we can minimise harassment and protect citizens from abuse,” he said.

The nominee also mentioned efforts to extend professionalism across all agencies under the Ministry of Interior to ensure that the actions of security personnel align with public expectations.