President John Dramani Mahama has announced a new housing initiative aimed at improving accommodation for personnel of the security services, including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana National Fire Service and the Ghana Armed Forces.
The President said government has commissioned a Singaporean construction company to build the housing units under an agreement reached during his official visit to Singapore in 2025. The partnership followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a prefabricated housing factory in Ghana to support large-scale infrastructure delivery.
He explained that the company’s first major project in Ghana was the construction of a 10,000-bed hostel at the University of Ghana, and it has now been assigned to extend its work to housing for 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 said.
The announcement was made when the President addressed the Ghana Police Service’s end-of-year gathering, popularly known as the West African Soldiers Social Activity (WASSA), at the Police Headquarters in Accra.
President Mahama said the housing project, which falls under the government’s Big Push Agenda, is expected to significantly improve living conditions for security personnel. He urged the Police Service to begin identifying available lands within their barracks to facilitate the construction of the housing units.
“Start identifying your lands in your various barracks where we will build this accommodation so that we can provide enough housing for our police service,” he added.
The President 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 the country.
He commended the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Police Management Board and personnel of the Service for what he described as their effective performance during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
According to him, despite increased travel and social activities during the period, crime levels remained low due to 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 further applauded the speed and professionalism with which incidents were handled, noting that reports were promptly addressed, suspects were 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 described the revival of WASSA after a long break as symbolic, stressing the importance of institutions periodically reflecting, reassessing and renewing 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 demands of modern policing and public expectations.
“There can be no meaningful development without security. Every trader, student, commuter and investor depends on a sense of safety,” he added.
Earlier, 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.