Ghana Safety and Security Market
Ghana is relatively safe country in a region with growing safety and security concerns. However, the recent increase in activities of terrorist-related groups and worsening political instability in neighboring countries has intensified Ghanaian public and private entities’ attention to security matters.
Ghana’s ranking on the Global Peace Index for 2022 is 40 out of 163 countries covered. This represents a small decrease from its previous rank of 38 in 2021. In 2022, having witnessed its immediate neighboring countries suffer from terrorist attacks, Ghana launched a campaign titled “If you see something, say something” to increase public awareness and ask for citizens’ support to help address the threat posed by extremist groups. Those groups often exploit poverty and high unemployment to recruit new members. Ghana has also launched the “Accra Initiative” with its neighbors, a cooperative and collaborative security mechanism among seven West African countries that face increasing threats and attacks from Islamist militants on their norther borders with Burkina Faso and Niger.
The Government’s determination to equip the military and police as well as firefighting and disaster preparedness presents a market opportunity. However, Ghana’s restrictive fiscal environment will limit some government procurements in the near term.
The Government of Ghana recently acquired combat vehicles, equipment, and weaponry, including: 1) 163 armored personnel carriers and other combat vehicles, trucks and general vehicles; 2) surveillance and communication equipment, including optical and night vision equipment; and 3) weapons, ammunition, and body armor. These have been procured to enhance intelligence acquisition, offer better protection, and improve the mobility and fire power of the armed forces when conducting internal security operations.
Ghana is also constructing and equipping 15 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the northern part of the country, the most likely route of entry into the country for militant groups. The Ghanaian Navy has acquired four fast patrol boats to secure the country’s maritime resources. To support operations of the Special Forces, Ghana plans to procure for six L-39 Ground Fighter Aircrafts, two additional Ground Power Units, and assorted aircrafts comprising Casa C2A5 Maritime Patrol Aircrafts, Mi-71SH Military Airlift Helicopters, VIP Transport Helicopters (H-225) and four H-125 Reconnaissance Light Attack helicopters for its Air Force.
In 2022, the Ghana Police Service received 1500 motorbikes to improve their service delivery. This is in addition to three helicopters and over 300 vehicles that were procured in the last three years.
The increased deployment of Unmanned Aviation Vehicles (UAVs) in various parts of the country creates a market opportunity. So far, U.S. UAV technology has been deployed in the health sector to deliver goods (by California-based Zipline). UAVs could also play a role monitoring Ghana’s borders and maritime space.
In addition to the public sector, there is a growing private sector customer base for security-related equipment such as Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), Fire Alarm and Detection systems, Security Scanners, Metal detectors, and related security services. Both residences and companies are seeking to increase their security posture. As well, surveillance and monitoring equipment, perimeter barriers, and private security solutions are increasingly sought by companies in the mining sector to monitor illegal mining operations and illegal access into legal mining sites.
Ghana is stepping up its protection against cybersecurity threats, which are already affecting critical infrastructure. (The Electricity Company of Ghana, for example, was hacked with ransomware in October 2022.) In September 2022, Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority announced that Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) Owners will be subject to mandatory audit and compliance checks to verify their compliance with the Directive for the Protection of Critical Information Infrastructures which was adopted on October 1, 2021. Thirteen sectors have been identified as CII sectors. They comprise the bulk of the entire Ghanaian economy, meaning many private sector entities will have to implement rigorous cybersecurity frameworks. They include national security and intelligence, ICT, banking and finance, energy, water, transportation, health, emergency services, government, food and agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and education entities.
However, Ghana is also starting to regulate who can provide cyber security services in its market. Effective January 1, 2023, every business, firm, or individual that provides cybersecurity services in Ghana will have to be licensed by the Cyber Authority. The Cyber Security Authority will offer professional accreditation; the details of what foreign certifications may be accepted have not been released.
To learn more about the environment for doing business in Ghana, contact Commercial Service Ghana at Office.Accra@trade.gov or +233(0)30-274-1870 and see our Country Commercial Guide to Ghana for broader context on doing business in Ghana and our market intelligence reports for ongoing updates on specific topics and industries.