By Eric Appah Marfo
Accra, Aug. 27, GNA – The Ministry of the Interior has warned vehicle retrofitting companies against converting vehicles into Armoured Bullion Vehicles (ABVs) without requisite permits and approvals.
Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Minister for the Interior, said the Ministry could impose sanctions, including revocation of operating licences, on companies that breached the regulatory requirements.
He was speaking at a days’ sensitisation workshop on the guidelines and standards for the importation, retrofitting, usage and decommissioning of ABVs, organised by the Ministry in Accra on Thursday.
The workshop brought together private security organisations, cash-in-transit (CIT) operators, retrofitting companies and importers to deepen their understanding of the regulatory requirements governing ABVs.
Mr Terlabi said the guidelines and standards for the importation, retrofitting, usage and decommissioning of armoured bullion vehicles in Ghana were officially rolled out on December 4, 2025, following armed attacks on CIT vehicles between 2021 and 2023.
He said the attacks resulted in the loss of lives, including police officers and civilians, as well as cash, while the use of soft-skinned vehicles with limited protection against armed attacks remained a major concern.
The guidelines cover importation and certification, operational and maintenance standards,
inspection, testing and compliance monitoring, personnel qualifications, specifications for retrofitting and modification, and the safe decommissioning of ABVs.
Mr Terlabi urged private security organisations, CIT operators, importers and retrofitting companies to take ownership of the guidelines and integrate them into their daily operations.
He said compliance should not be viewed merely as an administrative or regulatory requirement but as a means of saving lives, protecting property, maintaining public confidence and strengthening national security.
“No company or individual will be permitted to circumvent the regulatory requirements or compromise the security standards governing the armoured bullion vehicles,” he said.
The Deputy Minister said effective implementation would require strong coordination among the Ministry of the Interior, Ghana Police Service, Bank of Ghana, private security organisations, CIT operators, importers and retrofitting companies.
He urged certified ABV retrofitting entities to ensure that their operations complied fully with all applicable laws, licensing requirements, regulations and safety standards.
Mr Terlabi also appealed to the public to report suspicious activities involving CIT vehicles to the nearest police station or the Ministry of the Interior, saying timely reporting could help prevent criminal activity and protect lives and property.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
27 Aug. 2026
Reporter: Eric Appah Marfo