Privatisation of Household Security in Ghana

Generally, private security providers provide military and police services. This study focuses on those who provide police services. In this study, they are called household security providers and constitute the private security companies and neighbourhood watch committees. Using Accra as the study area, this study argues that the high crime rate and the inability of the Ghana Police Service to provide adequate security for Ghanaians is the main reason behind the growth of household security providers in Ghana. In the midst of this growth, different households have engaged different providers to ensure their security. The rich have resorted to private security companies and the poor have created neighbourhood watch committees. But despite the growth of private household security providers in Accra, this study argues that they have not replaced the Ghana Police Service. Rather, there has been an integration of the police and the household security providers to ensure a safe and a disciplined Accra. In the light of the high crime rate in Accra, this study recommends the creation more neighbourhood watch committees to meet the needs of the poor majority.