Ghana is much safer now than in 2025 – Muntaka

Ghana's Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, told Joy FM’s Super Morning Show that the country is safer now than it was in 2025. He attributes this to a reduction in curfews and improvements in communities previously affected by conflict. "I can assure you that we are safer today than we were when we took over power," he stated.

Muntaka acknowledged that crime is still a challenge, but he said government security agencies are taking steps to protect the public. He emphasized that people can go about their daily activities without fearing for their safety.

Regarding crime statistics, Muntaka declined to provide specific figures, arguing against judging progress based solely on the number of deaths. Instead, he pointed to a decrease in the number of curfews. In 2025, Ghana started with around 11 curfews and concluded the year with approximately nine. Currently, there are only three curfews in effect.

He also highlighted developments in the Upper East Region's Bawku town, which has gone 150 days without gunfire. This allowed authorities to relax the curfew to between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., and residents are now allowed to ride motorbikes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Muntaka noted that Bawku's conflict had previously spread to other areas, causing retaliatory attacks and bus burnings. However, security operations combined with mediation and peacebuilding efforts helped contain the situation. Despite his positive assessment, he still sees ethnic conflicts, land disputes, and illicit drugs as ongoing concerns.

He also mentioned the challenge of Ghana's porous borders, noting the country has over 300 unauthorized crossing points compared to the 48 approved entry points. Muntaka stressed that cooperation with neighboring countries is crucial to tackling security threats in the region.