The Ministry of the Interior, under the leadership of Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has outlined notable strides made in enhancing peace and security in Ghana.

In a statement delivered by the Minister at the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House in Accra,  Muntaka Mubarak noted that the Ministry has achieved significant milestones in various areas such as the drastic reduction of curfews in the country from 11 to 5, reflecting improved security and dialogue, and restoring normalcy in previously affected communities.

He added that the Ministry has spearheaded the amendment of the Public Holidays Act to include an extra day for Eid-ul-Fitr and restore July 1 as a national holiday, promoting inclusivity and historical recognition.

He  disclosed that the Ministry has commenced the digitalization of 16 core functions, including permit and license services, to streamline workflows, reduce delays, and enhance public access.

 This move, he said, is expected to improve transparency and accountability, and provide better services to the public.

According to him, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ministry has cleared and repatriated 2,241 street beggars to their respective countries, restoring public order while supporting vulnerable populations. 

He added that the Ministry has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Youth Development for Security Agency Internships, enhancing youth employability while supporting security agency operations. 

In addition, the Ministry will soon sign an MoU with Ministry of Education to enable the Prisons Service to produce 20% of sanitary pads for the Free Sanitary Pad initiative by Government.

The Minister also noted that the Ghana Police Service has made notable achievements, including sustained anti-illegal mining operations, establishment of a 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, and breakthroughs in major cases, adding that the Service has also conducted high-impact, intelligence-led anti-robbery operations across all regions, achieving significant results.

Touching on prison reform, the Minister stated that the Ghana Prisons Service has implemented juvenile and secondary education initiatives, supporting education continuity for juveniles and inmates and that the Damongo Correctional Facility has also been completed, expanding correctional infrastructure and reducing overcrowding. 

He added that the Service has also launched a digital literacy program, equipping inmates, officers, and dependents with digital skills.

On Government’s efforts to combat drugs, he said the Narcotics Control Commission has intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking and promote public health.

 The Commission, he added, has seized 192kg of cocaine, 90kg of cannabis, and 17.9kg of gold bars, disrupting major trafficking operations.

On disaster management, he said the National Disaster Management Organisation has enhanced disaster preparedness and response, protecting lives and livelihoods, noting that the Organisation has responded to 332 emergencies, conducted field assessments, and provided relief to 11,524 disaster victims.

He commended the National Identification Authority for registering over 18 million Ghanaians, clearing 600,000 registration backlogs, and launching Prestige Registration Services.

 He noted that the Authority has also installed security systems, enhancing physical and cyber security infrastructure.

 Muntaka Mubarak assured the good people of Ghana that the Ministry of the Interior remains committed to ensuring peace and security and that the Ministry will continue to work tirelessly to promote peace and security and to address the needs of the Ghanaian people.