President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government has engaged a Singaporean firm to build housing units for members of Ghana’s security services, including the Police Service, Prisons Service, National Fire Service, and the Armed Forces. He explained that this initiative stems from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during his 2025 visit to Singapore, which paved the way for the establishment of a prefabricated housing factory in Ghana to accelerate large-scale infrastructure delivery.
The President noted that the company’s first major undertaking was the construction of a 10,000-bed hostel at the University of Ghana, and it has now been assigned the additional responsibility of providing accommodation for the nation’s security agencies. “But we have also commissioned them to build housing for our Police Service, our Prisons, Fire Service and the Ghana Armed Forces,” President Mahama stated.
The President made the announcement during the Ghana Police Service’s end-of-year celebration, popularly known as the West African Soldiers Social Activity (WASSA), held at the Police Headquarters in Accra. He explained that the initiative, part of the government’s Big Push Agenda, is aimed at significantly enhancing housing conditions for the security services.
The President further urged the Police Service to earmark available lands within their barracks for the projects, emphasising: “Begin identifying lands in your various barracks where these accommodations will be built, so we can ensure adequate housing for our police personnel.”
President Mahama described WASSA as more than a social event, noting that it provides an opportunity for reflection on service, sacrifice and the shared responsibility of safeguarding peace and stability in Ghana.
He commended the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Police Management Board and personnel of the Ghana Police Service for what he described as their effective performance during the recent Christmas and New Year festivities.
According to the President, despite increased travel and social activities during the festive period, crime levels were kept low through careful planning, discipline and intelligence-led operations.
He also praised the strategic deployment of officers across highways, communities, markets, places of worship, transport terminals and entertainment centres, saying the visible police presence reassured the public.
President Mahama said he was encouraged by the speed and professionalism with which incidents were handled, noting that reports were promptly addressed, suspects swiftly apprehended and criminal activities disrupted.
“Let us sustain this momentum and send a clear message that there will be no hiding place for criminal elements,” he said. He further described the revival of WASSA after a long break as symbolic, stressing that it highlights the need for institutions to periodically reflect, reassess and renew their commitment to duty.
The President said this year’s celebration, themed “Resetting the Police Service: Professionalism, Integrity and Building Public Trust,” reflects the evolving challenges of modern policing and the expectations of the Ghanaian public.
“There can be no meaningful development without security. Every trader, student, commuter and investor depends on a sense of safety,” he stated. Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, said the 2025 WASSA event was organised to allow officers to briefly step away from their demanding schedules to appreciate one another and acknowledge their collective efforts.
Source: GNA
