The Armed Forces Council, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, has announced the immediate withdrawal of military protection for individuals not legally entitled to such services.
The directive affects civilians including public officials, former ministers, businesspeople, and other private persons who have been benefiting from military escorts and guard duties without proper authorisation.
The policy shift, made public by the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, via a Facebook post on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, forms part of the government’s ongoing Reset Agenda—a comprehensive initiative aimed at restoring discipline, transparency, and accountability in public service and national security.
Dr. Boamah noted that the days of misusing military personnel for personal security and convenience were over. He described the situation as an abuse that compromises the operational integrity of the Ghana Armed Forces and drains state resources.
“As part of our Reset Agenda to restore discipline and accountability, we’ve withdrawn military protection for civilians (including public officials, former ministers, businessmen and women, among others) who are not entitled to it,” he stated.
The announcement is expected to impact a significant number of individuals, particularly former government officials and private citizens who have maintained military escorts without official clearance.
The Defence Minister stressed that henceforth, any service personnel found offering unauthorized protection or engaging in duties outside the scope of their official assignments would face severe disciplinary action.
“This decision aims to stop the misuse of military personnel for personal gain,” the Minister emphasized. “Military personnel found providing unauthorized guard duties, and any other unauthorized duties, will face far-reaching consequences.”
The move underscores the government’s broader effort to depoliticise state institutions and reinforce professional standards within the armed forces. It also aligns with recent steps to overhaul security operations, tighten oversight, and ensure equitable access to national security resources.
The Armed Forces Council is expected to take charge of implementing the new directive. Additionally, sources indicate that internal monitoring protocols are being upgraded, including the rollout of real-time surveillance systems such as body camera activation under the ongoing #EAGLEEYES initiative.
The Ministry has urged the public to support these reforms as part of a national effort to build a disciplined and accountable security sector that serves the collective interest rather than private privilege.
