Interior Minister Muntaka Challenges MMDCEs to Secure Communities
MMDCEs must enforce local security systems and prevent crises, not wait for national help, says Minister
Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka has warned MMDCEs that neglecting local security could trigger serious crises, urging them to take full responsibility for threats within their areas.
Speaking in Kumasi during a training workshop for the Ashanti Regional Security Council on the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act 2026 (Act 1168), he stressed that MMDCEs are the government's closest link to communities and must proactively detect early warning signs.
He insisted that security cannot be managed reactively, demanding constant vigilance, intelligence gathering, and coordination among local authorities and agencies like the police and fire service.
The minister cited illegal mining, land chieftaincy disputes, criminal activities and explosive circulation as urgent local concerns requiring immediate attention from district security structures.
He questioned why some MMDCEs fail to engage with security agencies in their districts, asking how many have visited fire stations or police commands since taking office.
Muntaka urged MMDCEs to build stronger partnerships with security agencies and prioritise regular security meetings over physical infrastructure projects that fail without safety measures.
He expressed alarm over the easy availability of explosives in mining communities like Konongo and Obuasi, noting their presence signals serious import and storage risks that could spark disasters.
The minister emphasized that prevention resources must not be undervalued compared to building classrooms or hospitals that later get destroyed by insecurity.
Deputy National Security Coordinator Maj. Gen. (Rtd) William Azure Ayamdo echoed the call for proactive, coordinated security, stating Regional and District Security Councils are vital for spotting community-level threats early.
He urged MCEs and DCEs to strengthen trust, confidentiality and cooperation with all security bodies to build a preventive rather than crisis-driven national security system.
The workshop forms part of nationwide efforts to deepen knowledge of Act 1168 and strengthen regional and local security capabilities to manage emerging threats systematically.
