45-Day Deadline Issued as Ghana Enforces New Safety Standards for Bullion and CIT Operations

Story by Eugene Nyarko Jnr. l Accra l December 4, 2024

The Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has announced the rollout of comprehensive national guidelines and standards to regulate the importation, retrofitting, usage and decommissioning of Armoured Bullion Vehicles (ABVs) in Ghana. He made the announcement at a press conference held on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the Information Services Department Conference Room in Accra.

The new directive follows years of increasing security concerns arising from armed attacks on cash-in-transit (CIT) operations. Between 2021 and 2023, at least five major attacks on bullion vans were recorded, three of which were fatal, resulting in the deaths of police officers and the loss of large sums of money.

According to the Minister, investigations revealed significant lapses in CIT operations, particularly the continued use of soft-skinned vehicles by some financial institutions and bullion service operators despite earlier directives from the Bank of Ghana. These vulnerabilities, he noted, made bullion vans easy targets for criminals and put the lives of security personnel and bystanders at risk.

“The tragic incidents involving attacks on bullion vans served as a national wake-up call,” Hon. Mohammed-Mubarak said. “When it comes to safeguarding life and property, we cannot afford to compromise on standards.”

Key Features of the New Guidelines

The newly rolled-out “Guidelines and Standards for Armoured Bullion Vehicles” cover:

• Importation requirements and certification processes to ensure ABVs meet international and national safety standards.
• Operational and maintenance protocols, including crew training, tracking systems and communication procedures for CIT movements.
• Inspection, testing and compliance monitoring requirements.
• Personnel qualifications, including drivers and crew.
• Specifications for retrofitting and modification to ensure proper ballistic protection and equipment installation.
• Safe and environmentally responsible decommissioning of ABVs unfit for service.
• Recovery and redundancy strategies for emergency scenarios.

The guidelines will be strictly enforced in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and the Bank of Ghana.

45-Day Compliance Notice

The Ministry has issued a 45-day notice, effective Monday, December 8, 2025 to Monday, January 21, 2026, directing all CIT and bullion operators to comply with the new requirements. Key directives include:

• Immediate parking of soft-skinned vehicles and application for retrofitting at certified centres.
• Cessation of operations by all CIT and bullion entities until they obtain the required licenses and certifications from the Ministry of the Interior.
• Mandatory registration and licensing for entities engaged in retrofitting ABVs.

After the notice period, the Ministry will embark on nationwide enforcement, including legal sanctions for non-compliance.

Enforcement and Implementation

An Enforcement Unit has been established by the Inspector-General of Police to ensure strict adherence to the guidelines. This unit will report to an Implementation Committee comprising representatives from national security agencies, the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Gold Board.

The implementation plan also includes:

• Accreditation of authorised importers and retrofitters.
• Regular inspections and compliance audits.
• Mandatory training and licensing of CIT drivers and escort staff.
• A structured decommissioning process for retired vehicles.

Government’s Commitment to Safety

The Minister emphasised that the development of the guidelines followed extensive consultations with key stakeholders including the Ghana Police Service, Bank of Ghana, Ministry of Finance, Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division), Ghana Gold Board, Ghana Association of Banks, private security firms and operators in the CIT industry.

He reaffirmed Government’s strong commitment to protecting lives and property while strengthening public trust in the nation’s financial logistics systems.

“Every police officer, driver and operations staff who participates in a CIT or bullion transport deserves to return home safely after every mission,” he stressed. “Government will not compromise on the safety and security of its citizens.”

Hon. Mohammed-Mubarak urged all stakeholders to comply within the stipulated period to avoid sanctions and ensure safer, more efficient CIT operations nationwide.