Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Abraham Koomson, has called on the government to ensure that individuals suspected of wrongdoing are pursued through lawful means. He emphasized that security agencies must not be intimidated when carrying out their legitimate duties. Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem programme in Accra-Tema on September 24, 2026, Mr Koomson stressed that security officers performing duties prescribed by law should remain focused despite criticism, threats or pressure from politicians and other individuals.
According to Mr Koomson, the government has a responsibility to enforce the law, and where there is sufficient basis for an arrest, the appropriate security agency should take the necessary action. He, however, noted that the powers of security agencies must be exercised responsibly and strictly within the confines of the law. This, he believes, will help prevent the abuse of authority and protect citizens from harassment.
Mr Koomson questioned why some former government officials facing allegations or investigations have remained outside Ghana instead of returning to participate in the relevant legal processes. He cited instances where former senior government officials faced political and legal challenges but remained in the country to deal with the processes. He therefore argued that leaving the country should not become a means of avoiding accountability.
The labour leader also appealed to political parties and families to encourage persons facing investigations to cooperate with the appropriate state institutions rather than evade legal processes. He believes that this will help promote accountability and ensure that those who have engaged in wrongdoing are brought to justice. By doing so, Ghana can strengthen its democratic institutions and promote the rule of law.
Despite his call for firm law enforcement, Mr Koomson cautioned security agencies against abusing their authority or targeting citizens without legitimate justification. He recounted an experience in which he was monitored by security personnel, saying one of the officers later became friendly with him and explained aspects of how surveillance operations were conducted.
According to Mr Koomson, security agencies may monitor individuals considered potential threats to national security, but such operations must be based on legitimate security concerns. He warned against using security powers to target citizens simply because they criticise government policies or express political opinions. This, he believes, will help prevent the suppression of dissenting voices and promote a culture of tolerance.
Mr Koomson also rejected the use of violence against individuals under the justification of protecting society. He said where there are allegations that an individual is working with others to undermine the country, the appropriate response should be proper investigation, lawful arrest where justified and prosecution through the courts. He called on security agencies to maintain professionalism and ensure that their operations are conducted in accordance with the law.
Key points
- Security agencies must not be intimidated from pursuing suspects lawfully.
- The powers of security agencies must be exercised responsibly and within the confines of the law.
- Leaving the country should not become a means of avoiding accountability for former government officials facing allegations or investigations.
