Ghana is facing a disturbing surge in crime, a trend that threatens not only the safety of citizens but also the nation’s image and stability. Last week, The Chronicle highlighted the rising incidents of kidnapping and human trafficking in an editorial titled “Rising Kidnappings Threaten Ghana’s National Security and Global Image.”
At the time, we expressed concern over the increasing number of kidnapping cases pending in courts, citing reports from the Police and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) as evidence of a worrying national trend.
Yesterday, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, provided further cause for alarm. Speaking at a news conference in Accra, he disclosed that as of July 2025, Ghana had recorded 628 robbery incidents and 340 murders nationwide. Comparing these figures with last year’s totals 1,219 robberies and 552 murders, he warned that the trend indicates a persistent and escalating threat to public safety.
In response, the government has launched a Gun Amnesty Programme, following consultations with the Ghana Police Service, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, security agencies, traditional leaders, religious organisations and civil society groups.
Minister Mubarak described the initiative as a “bold and compassionate measure” aimed at reducing the circulation of illicit firearms. He also stressed the crucial role of citizen participation in ensuring the initiative’s success.
While these efforts are commendable, the data likely underestimates the scope of the problem. Social media and anecdotal reports suggest emerging trends in armed robbery, violent attacks, and other criminal activities that are increasingly affecting urban and rural communities alike.
What is occurring in our cities and towns cannot be ignored. The proliferation of violent crime is destabilising neighborhoods, undermining economic activity, and instilling fear among ordinary Ghanaians.
The situation is compounded by the growing use of illicit drugs, particularly among the youth. In Accra and other major cities, young people openly engage in drug use, often congregating in poorly lit streets and riding motorbikes in disorderly groups.
These conditions create a fertile environment for crime, highlighting the urgent need for improved urban planning, street lighting and community policing. It is important to acknowledge the efforts of our security agencies, who continue to track and apprehend criminals under difficult circumstances.
However, the current rate and sophistication of crime demand a significant escalation in strategy, resources, and public engagement. Ghana cannot afford complacency. The fight against crime must be relentless, coordinated, and sustained.
Crime is no longer a peripheral issue it is a direct threat to national security, economic stability, and the everyday lives of Ghanaians. The state must act decisively and citizens must actively participate in safeguarding their communities. The security of this nation is a collective responsibility; failure to address these trends now risks eroding public confidence and national cohesion.
The Chronicle urges the government, law enforcement agencies, traditional authorities, and civil society to act with urgency. Ghana must confront this surge in crime boldly, decisively, and without delay. Our safety, our security and our future depend on it.
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