Private security organisations licenses to be reviewed(page 31) February 13, 2008

Story: Michael Donkor
THE National Security is to review licences of private security organisations (PSOs) to flush out those whose operations pose a security risk to the state.
A source close to the Ministry of the Interior, which disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, said the move had become necessary as a result of the unprofessional behaviour of some of those organisations.
It said there had also been public complaints about harassment by some of the personnel, abuse of power, involvement in criminal activities and dangerous driving.
The source said some of the PSOs were also flouting the Police Service Regulations of 1992, Legislative Instrument 1517.
Meanwhile, it said the Ministry of the Interior had started processing applications from PSOs for the renewal of their licences.
It said a board established by the government to undertake that review was looking at the tax payment receipts and organisational structures.
It explained that the ministry was concerned about the composition of the membership of the PSOs, hence the need to determine whether or not foreigners were being used to run them.
It said that was necessary because of the sensitive role that the PSOs were expected to play in the maintenance of peace and security in the country.
According to the source, the PSOs were to complement the efforts of the state security apparatus and so it would not be proper if they were left in the hands of foreigners.
It said the PSOs had also been requested to make available the conditions of service of their staff to the ministry to enable it to properly assess their collective bargaining agreements.