The Minority in Parliament has criticised the recent public display of arms and tactical equipment by the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service in Accra, describing it as a misdirected priority and an unnecessary use of state resources.
The demonstration, held on Thursday, was aimed at showcasing the readiness of the security agencies to maintain law and order during the Christmas season.
However, the Minority argues that the exercise would have been more effective if conducted in known security flashpoints such as Bawku, Gbinyiri and areas affected by illegal mining activities.
Addressing journalists in Parliament, the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, questioned the rationale behind deploying troops to parts of Accra.
“We saw troops drawn from various security agencies the military, police, fire service, immigration and others parading on the streets of Accra to show force. What force do they want to show on the streets of Accra? Is Accra a flashpoint?” he asked.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour noted that areas around the Supreme Court and the Accra High Court, where the exercise took place, did not warrant such a display.
He described the exercise as “misplaced and inappropriate,” insisting that if the intention was to deter crime, the security agencies should have taken the demonstration to areas where officers’ lives were under real threat.
“If you want to show force, go to places where security personnel are facing danger, but you failed to go there,” he said.
The lawmaker also criticised the lack of consultation with Parliament prior to the exercise, describing it as “a complete waste of resources,” and urged the government to prioritise security operations in areas facing persistent security challenges.
He cited the situation in Bawku, noting that tensions remained high despite the ongoing two-in-four mediation efforts.
“If you want to show force to deter crime, we all know the flashpoints in this country. The decision by the Ministers for Defence and Interior to show force on innocent streets is most bizarre,” he added.
The Minority’s comments have reignited debate over resource allocation within the security sector, with calls for security operations to focus on addressing real and immediate threats rather than symbolic public displays.
