# Introduction he international political discourse has appreciably broadened in the past century, after the two brutal world wars and the great era of the cold war. The devastating nature of the two world wars and the cold war has brought issues of security to the forefront of the international community and to a larger extent has contributed to the establishment of United Nations and other states and non-states organizations. For lots of the cold war period, principal vicinity of hobby for both scholars and statesmen tended to be on the military capabilities that states should develop in order to deal with external threats because nation states have over the years served as hazard to each other. According to Okwori (1995) until recently, most of the mainstream writing on security studies literally defined it in terms of state capabilities to defend its territorial integrity from threats as well as actions of potential enemies. The meaning of security has assumed a wider spectrum in the post-cold war era because the significance of non-military threats has over shadowed the significance of military threats. Security as an old concept and a continuously evolving phenomenon has been defined variously. Kofi Anan, the former UN secretary general defined security as the protection of commodities and individuals from internal violence. He identified the need for more human centered approach to security and added that human security can no longer be understood in military terms. In summary, the definition of security, detours from the traditional disposition that threats to state emanates from external realm. In spite of the contested conceptualization of security, it is worth saying that, the state has kept its importance in security narratives as existed in the Hobbesian state of nature. Omoyibo & Akpomera (2013) confirm that, security is a concept that is prior to the state, and the state exists in order to provide that concept. It is based on these that states all over the world keep on employing robust mechanisms through established security agencies to deal with the emerging threats to security. Upon the numerous devices such as collective security, deployment of armies, disarmament and arm control, balance of power among others employed by the United Nations to fulfill its aim of maintaining world security. Security challenges are still an issue in both developing as well as developed countries. However, historical as well as recent security challenges in less developed countries suggest a rather interesting picture in comparison to developed countries. It is not an exaggeration to say that, security agencies in Africa needs to be restructured and strengthened due to recent internal security challenges in Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Mali and Gabon which is the present one. Ghana is seen as an oasis of peace as compared to many African states. However, no state is immune to security threats. Historically, Ghana's experience in protracted military intervention, political upheavals coupled with tribal conflict just after independence cannot be underestimated when talking of security challenges. The inception of the Fourth Republic brought high expectation for peace and progress however recent literatures have confirmed that, the security system in Ghana faces the problem of ethnic conflicts, chieftaincy disputes, students agitations, political vigilantism, cyber fraud, crimes which encompasses armed robbery, drug trafficking, murder, rapes and defilement which is fueled by unemployment, poverty, uneven distribution of state resources, fragile state institutions. # II. Theoretical Framework: Structural Functionalism This study is situated within the theoretical construct of structural functionalism. The major idea underpinning this theory is that, society is a complex system whose part work together to promote solidarity and stability. Functionalism addresses society as a whole in terms of the functions of its constituent elements namely, norms, customs, traditions and institutions. In grounding this theory, the work of Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parson, and Hebert Spencer is worth mention. The application of this theory is that, state institution plays vital role in addressing issues of security. In order words, in order to promote a stable society, strong state apparatus need to be set up. Failure of the institution to perform their role will hinder stability and solidarity. # a) The Concept of Security The concept of security lacks a precise definition. As noted by Baldwin (1997) some scholars have depicted security as an "essentially contested concept". In the traditional sense, security is defined as the removal of external threat by strengthening the military capabilities of the state. Scholarly articles have always been limited to military statecraft in the world war era. When conditions in the world change, the accepted definitions of some terms can become insufficient, or even confusing, if they retain their traditional meaning. In such cases, the attempt to apply these old definitions to the changed character of the world reveals their limitations. The term security seems to be such a case. (Malec 2003). In similar vein, Okwori (1995) confirms that, until recently, most of the mainstream writing on security studies literally defined it in terms of state capabilities to defend its territorial integrity from threats as well as actions of potential enemies. Recent development has called for a rethinking of the concept of security. Kofi Annan former UN Secretary-General argues that "In the wake of these conflicts, a new understanding of the concept of security is evolving. Once synonymous with the defense of territory from external attack, the requirements of security today have come to embrace the protection of communities and individuals from internal violence. The need for a more human-centred approach to security is reinforced by the continuing dangers that weapons of mass destruction, most notably nuclear weapons, pose to humanity: their very name reveals their scope and their intended objective, if they were ever used. # b) Security Challenges in Ghana: A Retrospective Glance The pre-colonial periods cannot be excluded when the history of security challenges are mentioned in Ghana. Chieftaincy disputes and ethnic upheavals dates back in the pre-colonial period. Berry (1998) note in the case of the Asante's that, though the position of the chief in the pre-colonial Asante was a relatively privileged one, it did not go unchallenged. According to Quantson (2008a) security issues in Ghana until recently were ethnic in nature. The tensions in the state were mounted by strong ethnic groups like the Ashanti, Fantes among others. It is never an exaggeration to say that politics too were clothed with tribal garments which generated parties like National Liberation Movement an Ashanti based party, Ga Steadfast, Northern People's Party. Before the inception of the Fourth Republic, power has been alternating between Civilian government and military government. (Quantson, 2008b) confirms that, since independence the country has experience five encounters with the military. The first was in 1958, barely a year after independence, when the word "coup" entered the political lexicon. (Paalo, 2017) postulates that, political vigilantism which is seen as a menace today had it historical antecedence from youth activism in politics during the British colonial era where the Conventions People's Party youth wing known as "Veranda boy" were formed. # c) Contemporary security challenges in Ghana The existing literatures on security challenges in Ghana revolve around: criminal activities which includes armed robbery, drug trafficking, cybercrime, kidnapping among others, religious, tribal, electoral, chieftaincy, political vigilantism, mob justice, agitations. Although security challenges faced by the country go beyond the above stated themes, these literatures are nevertheless relevant to the framework of this study. # d) Crime Crime can be said to be an act that goes against the established laws of the land. The following are examples of crime: armed robbery, terrorism, drug trafficking, cybercrime. (Quantson, 2008c). Also, the 2018 first quarter report of the Ghana Police Service identified the forms of crime prevalent in Ghana as Armed robbery, defilement and rapes, drug trafficking, kidnapping, domestic abuse. Appiah (2018) succinctly said that "The occurrences of illicit drugs use, robberies, rape, murders, moral crimes, money laundering, infiltration and use of illegal firearms, chieftaincy and land disputes are daily security issues in Ghana. There are other types of crimes which occur but are hardly given attention in the media". Dr. Kwesi Anning, a security expert, said there was 45% increase in crime rate in the Greater Accra region. Some offences which were considered most serious and attracted public concern are shown in table 2.1. e) Armed Robbery Armed robbery involves the theft of property and carrying (or pretense) of a weapon. "A person who steals a thing is guilty of robbery, if in and for the purpose of stealing the thing, he uses any threat or criminal assault or harm to any person. Robberies comes in various forms including residential robbery, bank robbery, car hijacking, highway robbing, market robbing. Armed Robbery is at increased in Ghana. News articles about armed robberies in Ghana demands a wake-up call of the police. On the 20 th day of April, 2018, Citi news reported an incident of bank robbery at Pelungu market of the Nabdam in the Upper East region. Four suspected robbers on motorbike attacked and robbed the First Allied bank branch in Pelungu. To crown it all, on 23 rd January 2018, four gangs stormed the Kwabenya Police station which raised numerous questions about the quality of our security service. # f) Murder The spate of murder in the country has raised questions by Ghanaians. The intriguing aspect of these fatal developments is that of Hon. J. B. Danquah (Member of Parliament), Mrs. Josephine Asante (Public Affairs Manager -Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority), Captain Adams Mahama (military personnel) and Ahmed Hussein-Suale (Investigative Journalist of the Tiger Eye PI). Also, in December 2018, the Tema Community Central Assemblies of God church pastor was also stabbed to death. In that same month, the Mankralo of Prampram in the Greater Accra Region was gruesomely murdered. All these are high profile persons with tight security than an ordinary Ghanaian. # g) Drug Trafficking Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of drugs that are subject to drug prohibition laws. (United Nations Office on Drugs and crimes [UNODC], 2017). "The issues of drugs which was affiliated to the South American Country's had gained popularity in West Africa. There are enough evidence to support the claim. According to the World Drug report 2016, the West African region in general had become a major passage point for cocaine from South America en route to Europe. The report said between the five year period; 2009-2014. The proportion of total cocaine seizure increased to 78%. Ghana was named among the top transit points. When talking about drug issues in Ghana, let us ponder on the views of Dr. Kwesi Aning, This [narco-trafficking] is the new frontier of war and an attack on West Africa's fragile states. A threat that is more insidious and dangerous than the conflicts that engulfed West Africa in the 1990s and early twenty-first century. This is because the increasing flow of drugs through West African States is beginning to undermine the state, through weakening its institutions, its local communities, and its social fabric. (Aning, 2008). # h) Kidnapping Kidnapping has now become a new criminal code in Ghana. Violent crime such as Kidnapping is posing threat to the security of the state. There have been several news articles with the current one being the Kidnapping of the three girls at Takoradi. # i) Cybercrime: the new threat As the level of Technology increases, there is a lapse in security. Cybercrime is the new challenge to both domestic and external security of a state. Cybercrime is a term for any illegal activity that uses a computer as it primary means of commission (Halder & Aishankar, as cited in Barfi, Nyagome & Yeboah, 2018). A report by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in 2011 confirms that in West Africa, there is a proliferation of cybercrime. These internet frauds are compounded by increasingly global nature of information systems, and the difficulty of trading the fraudsters. The report further mentioned Nigeria and Ghana as hosts of cybercrime. Ghana has gained the unsavory distinction along with Anglophone African neighbors Nigeria and Cameroon as one of the top ten cybercrime generating states worldwide. Warner (2011) grouped Cybercrimes that are prevalent in Ghana into three: First of all, He mentioned identity fraud or romance fraud. Second type of fraud is Gold fraud and the third as estate fraud. The prevalence of cybercrime in Ghana may affect the state economically, politically as well as socially. His Excellency Nana Akuffo Addo expressed the need to improve the forensic capabilities of state security agencies in his speech delivered on the National Cyber Security Week (Ministry of Communication [MOC], 2017). # j) Chieftaincy dispute The institution of chieftaincy in the pre-colonial era and modern times are very relevant tool for development in Ghanaian states. However, Ghana is losing its respect and image in the country as a result of numerous disputes within these institutions. Various news headlines are an indication that, chieftaincy disputes is a challenge to the security apparatus of the state. The Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affair, Mr. Samuel Kofi Dzamezi made a statement that; there are 352 chieftaincy disputes which remained unresolved. Literatures have identified some few causes of chieftaincy disputes in Ghana. Boafo-Arthur (2003) asserts that, traditionally every stool is expected to possess a land and many conflicts in this case are as a result of oppositions from families to chiefs. Corruption as a destructive tool has been attached to chieftaincy institution and a cause of chieftaincy disputes. Mensah (2018) agrees that, almost every paramountcy or traditional area suffer crises when the stool is vacant. But money is being taken to install people to fill the vacant position. # k) Electoral Violence The practice of democracy in most states of which Ghana is part has paved way for the employment of the tool of election. Election is a major feature of democracy and a medium to swallow the consequences of political competitiveness. However, failure of the process results in numerous outbreak of order which has been the case of many African states like Cote Divoire, Kenya, Nigeria and the latest case in Gabon. Ghana's success in all the seven elections in the Fourth Republic should not create the picture that, these elections were violent free. According to Aning and Lartey (2009) even though Ghana has achieved a relatively peaceful political existence, the country's democratic process has always been fraught with localized conflict and electoral violence. # l) Political Vigilantism Political vigilantism has assumed a wider spectrum in the Ghanaian political arena. Although some people do not see it as a new phenomenon, Paalo (2017) postulates that, political vigilantism which seen as a menace today had it historical antecedence from youth activism in politics during the British colonial era where the Conventions People's Party youth wing known as "Veranda boy" were formed. Currently, there are over twenty-four (24) registered political parties in Ghana some of which include Convention People's Party (CPP), People's National Convention (PNC), NDC and NPP (Paalo, 2017). Gyampo, Graham and Asare (2017) identified that, political vigilantism is affiliated to all political parties and they are present in all the ten regions. Political vigilante groups in Ghana have been tools for violence before, during and after elections. The Azoka boys, Invincible forces, Delta force among others can be named. # m) Ghana's Security Apparatus Many efforts have been made by the Ghanaian state to promote stability in the country. Ghana's security apparatus according to the 526 of 1996 is structured into three tier hierarchy of National, Regional and District Security Council. Agencies that form the National Security Council include: Bureau of National Investigation (BNI), the Military, the Police, the Prisons Service and the customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority. For the purpose of this study, the police will be analyzed. # n) Ghana Police Service The Ghana Police Service, a constitutional creature, is guided by the Police Service Act, Act 350 of 1970 with the mandate to prevent and detect crime; apprehend offenders; maintain public order; and safety of and property. The Police are being resourced as per Article 200 of the 1992 Constitution of the persons Republic of Ghana. In order to effectively carry out her mandate, the Police have initiated innovation into their operations, some of which include community policing, visibility policing, night patrols, snap spot checks, all in an effort to prevent crime in the first place. Even though a lot has been done by the Police to prevent crime by the Police Administration, the conduct of some of its personnel leaves sour taste in the mouths of many Ghanaians. These include allegations of bribery, aiding drug smugglers, leasing of Service weapons to armed robbers, among others. # o) General Public Perception about Ghana Police Service The police play a vital role so far as the internal security of the state is concerned. Many cases of security lapses recorded in Ghana have affected the public view about the police service in Ghana. The Police Service faces an image problem. Generally, the mere mention of the Police Service in Ghana invokes images from the large segment of the populace as an institution riddled with corruption, brutalities and disregard for human rights and that it is characterized by amateurism or that it lacked professionalism in the performance of its duties. This negative frame of the police by the general public in Ghana has dented its image to the extent that its performance in crime combat has been lost to many a Ghanaian. The negative frame is reinforced by various researches undertaken by civil society organizations in Ghana whose research outcomes are embarrassing spectacle to the police administration (Centre for Democratic Development Ghana, Institute for Democratic Governance [IDEG]). Though the actions and inactions of the Ghana Police Service are inescapably noticeable, the unbridled public vilification of it has risen to a crescendo that has created an "image crisis" for the institution. The Service is therefore saddled with and enmeshed in an "image salvaging or cleansing war" to restore its professional identity or image. (Braimah & Mbowura, 2014). # III. # Methodology This study adopted a mixed-method of the research approach to investigate the problem the study sought to unravel. As suggested by Creswell (2003), quantitative and qualitative methods are used as a way of counterbalancing the intrinsic flaws of one method with the strengths of the other. Relating this to the study, the method was essential in inquiring from the two sides of respondents which are the police officers and the civilians. The qualitative approach was a slice of the mixed method which helped the researchers in exploring, collecting, interpreting and analyzing data to meet the objectives of the study. The sample size for this study was 50 police officers and citizens who are 18 years and above in the Ga West Municipality of Ghana. To ensure fair representation of the targeted population, both probability and non-probability methods was employed. In terms of non-probability, the purposive method was used to select 10 police officers who have worked for more than 5 years in order for them to be well positioned to give valued opinion about the study. The purposive sampling method was selected because it was deemed the appropriate means of getting respondent who were knowledgeable and well abreast with the subject matter of interest. On the other hand, random sampling was employed as a probability method to select 40 civilians because it reduced bias. For this study, primary data were collected by administering questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaires were answered by the civilians while the police officers were interviewed. Secondary data for the research was collected from textbooks, journals, thesis, articles, magazines from renowned authors and researchers. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS) was used to analyze the data collected. IV. # Findings and Discussions This chapter presents the findings obtained from the field in the light of the research question as well as the objectives of the study. With the research rigged in the mixed-method of research approach, the quantitative aspect of the study was first presented followed by the qualitative aspect (Explanatory mixedmethod analysis). Descriptive analysis of the questionnaire and a thematic analysis of the interview followed respectively. # a) Presentation of demographic data A sample size of 50 respondents which included 40 civilians and 10 police officers were used for the research. To comply with research ethics, the Socio demographics of the police officers were not analyzed. Gender was used to imply the classification of sex into male and female groups. In considering sex, the study sought to have appreciable number of each sex group. Out of 40 respondents, 22 (55%) were males and 18 (45%) were females. Only a marginal difference in sex was evident. iii. # Number of Years as Resident The number of years the respondents have lived in the municipality was sought as an indication of the knowledge, experience and familiarity with the activities within the municipality. This was done to give more credence to the respondent ideas and submissions. From table 4.4 it is evident that, most of the respondents have lived in the municipality for more than five years. b) Quantitative Analysis This section presents the analysis of the quantitative data which was based on self-administered test. The data presentation and analysis of this section presents a categorization of the data gathered. The themes for the presentation are: security challenges in Ghana, general public perception about the Police, Problems facing the Ghana Police Service and mechanisms to ensure security. # i. Security Challenges in Ghana To establish a solid base for the study, the first part of the questionnaire contained a Likert scale which sought to unravel the security challenges in Ga West Municipality and how prevalent it occurs. Armed robbery was stated to be extremely prevalent by 22.5% of the population and the other challenges that were also rated as extremely prevalent differently by the participants are as follows: murder (10%), Kidnapping (7.5%), drug trafficking (17.5%), Cybercrime or fraud (20.0%), chieftaincy disputes (7.5%), ethnic conflict (5%), electoral violence (2.5%) and political vigilantism (5.0%). Kidnapping, Chieftaincy disputes are possibly least prevalent from the outlined challenges because 50% of the respondent stated it as not prevalent. Also, 12.5% indicated that Armed robbery is not prevalent, 45% indicated that murder is not prevalent, 25% indicated that drug trafficking is not prevalent, 20% indicated that cybercrime is not prevalent,47.5 indicated that ethnic conflict is not prevalent and 35% indicated that political vigilantism is not prevalent. On the other hand armed robbery and cybercrime was stated to be either highly prevalent or extremely prevalent by 50% or more of the study cohort. This shows that, these challenges are extensively experienced. The researcher asked the general public perception about the Ghana Police Service. This section consisted of six sub themes which intend to illicit public perception about the police. # a. Public-Police contact In response to this question, 55% of the respondents indicated that they had no contact with the police and 45% constituting the minority have had contact with the police within the past five years. # b. Payment of Money to the police to overlook an unlawful behavior With this question, the focus was on the 18 who have had direct contact with the police because they were privy to the information needed. Evidence from figure 4.2 indicates that 33.3% and 27.8% of the respondent who have had direct contact have paid bribe to the police many times and sometimes respectively. 22.2% of the sample size confirmed that they have not paid bribe to the police and 16.7% rarely paid bribe. # Volume XX Issue II Version I # Corruption The Police service as a state institution is arguably seen as a corrupt institution. It is upon this logic that the researchers made a slot which demanded for the respondents take on the assertion. The analysis showed that 67.5% of the respondents answered yes and 32.5% answered no. # e. Public Confidence in the Police The survey showed that 18 (45%) respondents have confidence in the police and 22 (55%) respondents have no confidence in the police. f. Public perception about the Effectiveness of the police Table 4.8 makes it clear that 5 (12.5%) of the respondents tagged the operations of the Ghana Police Service as very effective, 12 (30.0%) also hold the view that, the operations of the Police is effective, 16 (40.0%) of the respondents expressed that the operations of the police is fairly effective and 7 (17.5%) of the respondents tagged the operations of the police as not effective. iii. Problems Facing the Police The survey showed that 37.5% and 47.5% of the respondent strongly agreed and agreed respectively that lack of logistics is a major problem the police service is facing while 12.5% and 2.5% disagreed and strongly disagreed respectively. Also, 35.0% and 22.5% which constitute majority of the respondent disagreed and strongly disagreed that poor remuneration is a problem facing the police while 15% and 27.5% strongly agreed and agreed. Again, minimal public cooperation, political interference and indiscipline in the Police force recorded 7.5%, 10.0% and 15% disagreement respectively. # iv. Mechanism needed to be adopted to improve service delivery The respondents when asked about the depoliticizing the police service, provision of adequate logistics, in-service training and recruitment of more police officers, motivation and incentives, the analysis showed that, 34.2% noted that depoliticizing the police service will help improve the service delivery of the Political Interference among all the stated problems was strongly agreed by 60% of the respondents. police service. 32.9% of the respondents expressed that; the provision of adequate logistics will improve the service delivery of the Police service. On the minorities, 12.3% indicated that inservice training, 15% on recruitment of police officers and 5.5% on motivation and incentives will help improve the service delivery of the police. # c) Qualitative Data Analysis Interview was used to obtain qualitative data for this study. The respondents were 10 police officers in the Ga West Municipality. The data was transcribed and grouped under the following themes: security challenges in Ghana, duties and responsibilities of individual police officers, public perception about the police, institutional challenges of the police, mechanisms to ensure police effectiveness. # i. Security Challenges in Ghana Security is an ideal concept however no country in the world has ever realised its fullness. There is variation in security threats with regards to countries. In order to establish a strong base for the research, a question was asked about events and recent happenings that poses threat to security. Interviewees mentioned a plethora of events that indicates insecurity in Ghana. These includes: the rise of political militia (political vigilantism), murder, armed robbery, Kidnapping. Most of the interviewee expressed concerns on political vigilantism in relation to the above threats. # ii. Duties and Responsibilities of individual police officers The duties and roles of individual police officers were examined during the interview. Some of the questions that were asked aimed at finding out the individual duties of the police officers, factors that enhances their respective duties and the hindrances to their duties. a. Duties of the police officers interviewed. From the interview, it was gathered that, policemen in the audio room were responsible for administrative duties such as typing and receiving letter, preparation of data. The crime officers are to apprehend, investigate and take issues to court for prosecution. The station officer is to supervise the station and report outcomes to the commander. The researchers found out that, most police officers perform general duties which include guard duties, night patrol, road safety, station orderly. b. Factors that help the individual to perform efficiently. Interviewees were asked factors that improve efficiency of their work. According to the officers interviewed: good supervision, cooperation from the public and logistics help to improve the efficiency of their work. Out of the 10 officers, 5 said that logistics are mostly needed, 3 made mentioned of good supervision and the remaining 2 accredited it to public cooperation. The implications are that, the absence of the above factors negatively affects their duties. The hindrances mentioned by the interviewee outnumbered the factors that accounts for their efficiency. Some of the hindrances mentioned were non availability of vehicles which makes mobility very difficult, lack of logistics and lack of motivation and poor incentives, poor supervision, minimal public cooperation. Most of the interviewees laid emphasis on lack of logistics. These include factors such as transport, weapons, communication gadgets and other facilitators in the operations of the Police Service. As a result of absence of these factors it leaves the police agency with a poor understanding of how to execute its responsibilities. iii. Public Perception about the Police Police-Civilian relation is indispensable as far as security provision is concern and also sensitive measurement of public opinions play crucial role in policing. On this note, question was posed to the interviewees, to unearth their knowledge on how the public perceive them. It was pretty clear that most of the respondent, share the view that they are tagged to be a corrupt institution. While the majority has been fixated with the corruption allegation others expressed a different opinion. # iv. Institutional challenges of Ghana Police Service. Traditionally, the police are mandated to maintain law and order. The role of the police as a state agency in maintaining law and order is bedevilled with challenges. It is against this backdrop that, the researchers asked a question to illicit the interviewees' response. Political interference has been identified as one of the major hurdles for effective police operations. All the 10 officers interviewed mentioned political interference. The findings also revealed that, there is discrimination in the Police Service. It was also gathered that, inadequate in-service training, poor accommodation and lack of logistics are also problems the police faces as state security agency. # v. Mechanisms to ensure effective service delivery In this section, two sub themes are presented. These themes include the following: existing mechanisms in ensuring effective service delivery and mechanisms needed to improve the service delivery. Existing mechanisms in ensuring effective service delivery. In a probed attempt to know the existing mechanisms to ensure effective service delivery, interviewees highlighted on frontline supervision, duty parade, disciplinary measures. Frontline supervision is authorized to check duty men on post. It is worth to note that, supervisors come unannounced and officers who absent themselves from duty will be exposed. Also, morning parade serves as a platform for checking lateness, absenteeism and indecent dressing. Interviewees were asked about measures that are needed to be adopted by the police to ensure effective service delivery. A pool of answers which include, empowering the police to work independently, upgrading of the police system and organization of periodic refresher courses was mentioned by the interviewees. Throwing more light on empowering police to work independently, majority of the interviewee asserted that, allowing an independent body to appoint the Inspector General of Police (I.G.P) is the way forward. # V. Conclusion and Recommendations The importance of security to national development cannot be underestimated. The attainment of total security is utopian myth however systems in place can help promote security. Based on this, the study sought to unravel the Security challenges in Ghana and the imperativeness of Ghana Police Service. The study confirmed that. Armed robbery, cybercrime and political vigilantism contribute to the blowing wave of insecurity in Ghana. It was also revealed that, the public perceives the police as corrupt and ineffective in keeping their mandate. Moreover, the study identified, lack of logistic, minimal public cooperation, political interference are problems that affects the effective operations of the police. However these problems are not mutually exclusive in constraining the effectiveness of the police, some cascade into other. The study also argued that, in spite of measures employed by the police to promote security; there should be improvement and employment of new measures to ensure effectiveness. # Depoliticizing the police The Ghana police service should be empowered to work independently. It was identified that, the top officials in the Ghana police service are all appointed by the president. Internal mechanisms should be created for the police to elect their own key officials in order to inject professionalism and independence. # Training It would be necessary to offer training sessions to enhance their knowledge and service delivery. Training could be in the form of symposiums and workshops. The Police Service can collaborate with public as well as private universities to organise short courses for the Police Officers some of the courses b. Measures to be adopted to improve service delivery. The findings of the study have necessitated the following recommendations. that will be offered is the Leadership Seminar Programmes, Ethics among others. # Public Cooperation Cooperation from the general public to the directives of the Ghana Police service continues to be a mirage. There is the need for citizens to be more receptive and cooperative to the directions and guidance of the police. Citizens' support can be achieved by educating the public to increase consciousness of their operations; the public should also be circumspect in providing the right kind of information which is community-based information on crime and criminals to the police to make operations and service delivery easier. # Corruption Police Officers should also introduce a ticketing system where tickets are given to offenders of the law. Each ticket should have a specific price tag and it should be based on the offence committed. Police Officers should be given a certain percentage of the amount; this is a way to check the bribery and corruption and serve as a motivation for them to apprehend criminals. Also, the mode of recruitment should be revised in order to reduce patron-client relation. 44![Number of years as residentsNumber of years as residentFrequency](image-2.png "Table 4 . 4 :") 41![Figure 4.1: Shows security challenges and how prevalent it occurs ii. General public Perception about the policeThe researcher asked the general public perception about the Ghana Police Service. This section consisted of six sub themes which intend to illicit public perception about the police.](image-3.png "Figure 4 . 1 :") ![Security Challenges in Ghana, the Imperatives of States Security Agencies: A Study of the Ghana Police Service](image-4.png "") 42![Figure 4.2: Shows how respondents respondent pay money to the police.c. Witnessing payment of money to the policeDeduced from figure 4.3, 9(22.5%) of the respondents chose "not at all" in response to whether they have witness people paying bribe to the police. 12(30%) indicated sometimes, 7(17.5%) indicated rarely and 12(30%) indicated many times.](image-5.png "Figure 4 . 2 :") 43![Figure 4.3: Shows respondents witness to payment of money to the police](image-6.png "Figure 4 . 3 :") ![Security Challenges in Ghana, the Imperatives of States Security Agencies: A Study of the Ghana Police Service](image-7.png "") 44![Figure 4.4: Shows the problems facing the police.](image-8.png "Figure 4 . 4 :") 45![Figure 4.5: Shows mechanisms to employ to increase service delivery of the police.](image-9.png "Figure 4 . 5 :") ![Security Challenges in Ghana, the Imperatives of States Security Agencies: A Study of the Ghana Police Service provision of adequate logistics in-service training recruitment of police officers motivation c. Hindrances to the duties](image-10.png "") ![Security Challenges in Ghana, the Imperatives of States Security Agencies: A Study of the Ghana Police Service a.](image-11.png "") 21OFFENCE2016YEAR2017Murder54960910.9Robbery1397177226.8Rape4975143.4Defilement1341168625.7Possession, use & distribution of narcotic drugs681644-5.4Source: (https://citinewsroom.com/2018/08/30/roberry-topped-crimes-by-27-report) 41GenderFrequencyPercentageMale2255.0Female1845.0Total40100.0Source: Field Data (April, 2019)i. Age Distribution of Respondents(35.0%) of the respondents fell within the ages of 30-39,The age distribution indicates that 7 (17.5%) of8 (20%) fell within the ages of 40-49 and 11 (27.5%)the respondents fell within the ages of 18-29 years, 14were 50 years and above.Table 4.2: Age Distribution of CiviliansAge GroupFrequencyPercentage18-29717.530-391435.040-49820.050 and above1127.5Total40100.0 43Educational BackgroundFrequencyPercentageNo Formal Education512.5Primary/J.H.S/M.S.L.C922.5Secondary922.5Tertiary1742.5Total40100Source: Field Data (April, 2019) 45ContactFrequencyPercentageContact1845.00No Contact2255.00Total40100.00Source: Field Data (April, 2019) 46CorruptionFrequencyPercentage (%)Yes2767.5No1332.5Total40100.0Source: Field Data (April, 2019) 47HOW RESPONDENTS HAVE BEEN PAYING BRIBES33.30%25.00% 30.00% 35.00%22.20%27.80%20.00%16.70%15.00%10.00%not at allrarelysometimesmany time 48Public Perception about PoliceFrequency PercentageOperations(%)Very effective512.5Effective1230.0Fairly effective1640.0Not effective717.5Total40100Source: Field Data (April, 2019) Security Challenges in Ghana, the Imperatives of States Security Agencies: A Study of the GhanaPolice ServiceYear 202027( F )0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%Lack of LogisticsPoorMinimal PublicPoliticalIndiscipline in The-Global Journal of Human Social ScienceRemunerationCooperationInterferencePolice ServiceStrongly AgreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree© 2020 Global Journals * From "voluntary" to a "binding" process:Towards the securitization of small arms KAning Journal on Contemporary African Studies 26 2 2008 * Parliamentary oversight of the civil sector: Lessons from Ghana KAning ELartey 2009 Accra Kofi Annan Institute for Peace Keeping * Troubling crime rate in Ghana KAAppiah 2018. 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