Budget allocated for security agencies woefully inadequate – Brian Acheampong warns

Former Minister of State at the National Security Ministry, Dr. Brian Acheampong, criticized the 2025 budget for security agencies. He believes the allocated amount is inadequate.

During a parliamentary debate, he highlighted issues with the National Investigations Bureau (NIB). The NIB operates in all 16 regions but lacks sufficient funding. Dr. Acheampong stated that its budget wouldn't cover operations in Greater Accra for even one month.

He noted that the total allocation of 2.9 billion cedis includes 2.4 billion cedis for compensation. This leaves only 500 million cedis for operational costs. He emphasized that this budget supports national security efforts like border protection and managing internal threats.

Dr. Acheampong expressed concern about evolving security threats in West Africa. He argued that Ghana’s budget does not reflect these growing challenges.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak raised concerns about prisoner feeding rates. He stated prisoners are still fed on just 1 cedi 80 pesewas per day for three meals.

Muntaka hoped the new budget would address these feeding challenges but was disappointed. He pointed out that school feeding programs have increased to 2 cedis per meal while prisoners remain on outdated amounts. The Finance Minister promised a review during the mid-year budget.

James Agalga, Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee, supported Muntaka's concerns. He called for an immediate review of prisoner feeding rates.

Agalga noted that the Ghana Prisons Service struggles with inadequate funding for inmate meals. The allocation of 1.80 cedis has not changed since 2011, violating prisoners' rights. This amount is insufficient to provide even one decent meal daily for adult inmates.