On Wednesday, 16 September, Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed‑Mubarak opened a training programme for Regional Security and Intelligence Agencies and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2026 (Act 1168). During the session, he blamed the rising number of beggars on Ghana’s main thoroughfares on the MMDCEs’ inability to perform their duties effectively.
Mohammed‑Mubarak said that some MMDCEs were falling short of their mandate, particularly in tackling issues that affect public safety and order. He warned that the growing presence of beggars on streets was a direct consequence of MMDCE inaction, stating, “Our biggest headache with beggars is coming from the inaction of the MMDCEs. You wake up to go to work, and you see all these beggars on your street. And you still go to the office and sit, and work, and go back home. You see them on the street, and you don’t say anything; you don’t do anything.”
The minister added that the MMDCEs often assume someone else will deal with the problem, saying, “They just think that, ‘Oh, somebody is going to come and deal with it.’ Because if all of us sit up, especially the MMDCEs, and say, ‘Not in my jurisdiction.’ While they don’t get to be on the street to beg, they will find themselves out.”
In a complementary statement, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga urged MMDCEs to report local security threats and emerging challenges to the National Security office promptly. He argued that early reporting and timely intervention would prevent localised security concerns from escalating into broader threats.
Both ministers emphasized that strengthening security within their jurisdictions and addressing emerging concerns swiftly are critical responsibilities of the MMDCEs. The training programme aims to equip local leaders with the knowledge and tools to enforce the new Act and curb street begging, a growing public safety issue across Ghana.
Observers will watch how the Ministry of the Interior follows up on these accusations and whether MMDCEs implement the recommended measures to reduce the visibility of beggars on city streets.
