The Forum for Development and Accountable Governance (FDAG) has raised serious concerns over political victimization and unfair treatment creeping within Ghana’s security services, particularly under the previous government.
The civil society group claims that some officers in the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Prisons Service, and the Ghana National Fire Service were either sidelined, demoted, and denied promotions based on perceived political affiliations rather than merit and professionalism.
FDAG, after conducting extensive investigations, has announced plans to release a comprehensive report detailing these alleged injustices in the coming days.
However, the group has highlighted the case of ACI Lawyer Edward Kofi Owusu from the Ghana Immigration Service as a clear example of this disturbing trend.
According to FDAG, ACI Edward Kofi Owusu, a highly experienced officer and former Chief Staff Officer (CSO) and Regional Commander, was unfairly denied promotion for over eight years and demoted without explanation.
FDAG alleges that in July 2022, ACI Owusu was transferred to Sefwi Praso—a non-existent station of the Ghana Immigration Services —forcing the Immigration Service to later reassign him to Twifo Praso, where he was the only officer for 18 months without an office or logistical support.
“The Ghana Immigration Service, under the leadership of Comptroller-General Kwame Asuah Takyi, refused to provide the necessary resources to operationalize the post, effectively leaving him redundant” Excerpts of the statement read.
Despite his vast experience in security and law enforcement, the officer has remained at the Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACI) rank since 2017, while junior officers, including his former deputies, have been promoted to Deputy Commissioners.
FDAG’s findings suggest that ACI Owusu’s case is not isolated.
The group says that in July 2022, five former Regional Commanders of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), including ACI Smart Osei Bonsu, ACI Kwasi Opoku Apau, and ACI Kojo Opong Yeboah, were also demoted and made to serve under their juniors.
FDAG further alleges that officers perceived to be aligned with then opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) were targeted for punitive transfers and denied promotions, while those with political connections to then ruling government- New Patriotic Party rapidly promoted.
The report also draws parallels with other cases of alleged political victimization, citing DCOP Osman Razak, the current Security Coordinator at the National Investigations Bureau (NIB).
According to FDAG, DCOP Razak was similarly sidelined under former President Akufo-Addo but later reinstated by President John Mahama.
FDAG Calls for Urgent Reforms
The civil society group is calling on the government to immediately address these alleged injustices within Ghana’s security institutions.
“Security institutions must be professional and independent. Political interference is weakening our security forces, and this must stop,” said Nana Kojo Abbam, Senior Research Fellow at FDAG.
FDAG has vowed to continue exposing cases of political victimization and pushing for institutional reforms to protect the integrity, professionalism, and effectiveness of Ghana’s security agencies.
