The Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed‑Mubarak, announced on Thursday that the government has launched comprehensive guidelines and standards to regulate the importation, retrofitting, operation and decommissioning of armoured bullion vehicles (ABVs) in Ghana.
The move follows a series of armed attacks on cash‑in‑transit (CIT) vehicles between 2021 and 2023, three of which were fatal and resulted in the deaths of three police officers. In three of the incidents the attackers succeeded in stealing cash, exposing serious gaps in the sector’s security protocols, including the continued use of soft‑skinned vehicles by some banks and CIT operators.
Key elements of the new framework
– Importation and certification – Procedures to ensure all ABVs meet international and national safety standards before entry into Ghana.
– Operational and maintenance standards – Mandatory safety protocols, crew training, vehicle tracking, communication systems and coordination with security agencies.
– Inspection, testing and compliance monitoring– Regular checks to verify adherence to the guidelines.
– Personnel qualifications – Licensing requirements for drivers, crew members and other staff involved in CIT operations.
– Retrofit specifications – Approved technical standards for armouring, ballistic protection and equipment installation.
– Decommissioning procedures – Environmentally responsible processes for retiring vehicles that are no longer fit for service.
– Recovery and redundancy strategy – Contingency plans for emergency scenarios. The guidelines will be enforced jointly by the Ghana Police Service and the Bank of Ghana, with a 45‑day notice period running from Monday, 8 December 2025 to Monday, 21 January 2026. During this window, all CIT operators using soft‑skinned vehicles must park them, apply for retrofitting clearance at certified centres, and cease operations until they obtain the required licences and certification from the Ministry of the Interior. The same applies to entities engaged in the retrofitting of ABVs.
Enforcement and implementation
An enforcement unit under the Inspector‑General of Police will be established to ensure compliance, reporting to an implementation committee that includes representatives from the Security and Intelligence Agencies, the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Gold Board, the Ministry of Finance, and industry bodies such as the Ghana Association of Banks.
Minister Mohammed‑Mubarak warned that non‑compliance will attract administrative sanctions, including suspension of operational licences and possible prosecution. “We cannot compromise on the safety of lives and property,” he said. “Every police officer, driver and crew member deserves to return home safely after each mission.”
The guidelines were developed through extensive consultation with the Ghana Police Service, the Bank of Ghana, the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Revenue Authority’s Customs Division, the Ghana Gold Board, and private‑sector stakeholders.
With the new standards, Ghana aims to protect its financial logistics sector, reduce the risk of violent robberies, and restore public confidence in the secure movement of cash and valuables across the country.
Story by: Ernest Frimpong
