The Constitutional and Legal Framework for oversight of the Security Sector in Ghana: Outstanding Matters for the Ghana Police Service (GPS)

Abstract

In broad terms, this paper is an analysis of the framework for operationalising policy reform and institutional re-orientation of the security sector in Ghana and the mechanisms for constitutional pruning of security sector prerogatives. Using the GPS as a case-study, I deal with security sector governance, particularly policy reform and oversight mechanisms as mandated by the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and other laws, and the extent to which these have been effective. The key oversight institutions, the Police Council, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, civil society groups and individuals, are discussed in this context.